1850 Mechanicsburg Iowa Diary
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| The following is a transcription of a diary or
journal kept by Edward Harrison Brown from January 1850 until March 1851
while he lived at Mechanicsburg, Iowa. He was born June 24, 1822 in
Rockingham County, Va., the son of James W. and Margaret Clarke Brown.
They moved to Champaign County Ohio where Edward married Eliza Spry in
1840 or 1841. They had two sons Calvin Fletcher and John Elbert Brown,
born in Ohio, and then they moved to Newport, Minn. where their third
son, Robert Clarke Brown, was born in 1846. Their fourth son James
Edward Brown was born February 21, 1851, while this diary was being
written. Mentioned frequently in the diary is Dr. John D. Elbert, a neighbor, who apparently owned the land were Edward H. Brown lived. Dr. Elbert was born in Maryland in 1806, but moved to Ohio as a young boy. Dr. Elbert’s aunt was the grandmother of Mrs. Edward H. Brown. One of Dr. Elbert’s sons, Samuel, who was 17 years old when this diary was written, eventually became the Governor of Colorado. The Spain family mentioned in the journal was that of Albert Spain who also came to Iowa from Champaign County, Ohio. They lived in Van Buren County from 1841 until 1851 during which time their two youngest children were born, and their four oldest were married. In 1851 they moved to Warren County, Iowa with the exception of one married daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Spain who married Benjamin Powell. The Powells settled at Lebanon where they reared a family of three sons and seven daughters. Note: Mechanicsburg was an early pioneer village east of Lebanon along the Van Buren and Des Moines Township Line, with a post office in the 1850s. IMG numbers below represent an individual scanned page from the original diary/journal. For further information on any of the families mentioned here, contact Mrs. Elsie Spry Davis, 710 Second Street, Coronado, California 92118 IMG 2 Mr. Edward H. Brown Van Buren Co. Iowa Mechanicsburgh Iowa IMG 6 January 1st 1850 This month came in tolerably cold and continued cold until about the middle of the month; then moderated and thawed considerable through the day for some days; then clouded up and rained some in the morning, turned cold in the evening and snowed in the night about 4 inches in depth but it was coarse and damp; turned warm again and rained enough to wet the snow perfectly wet and to make the roads quite sloppy; Turned cold again and froze everything up as tight as ever, remained cold for one day only; a great deal of ice was in the roads which made it quite bad traveling, but it thawed, so in a few days that it was quite good getting about again. The month went out warm save the last day, which was a cold windy day, wind from the northwest. I helped Dr. Elbert to kill hogs. IMG 7 I took Dr. Elbert up to Bloomfield in my wagon to see Mr. Harrison’s wife (the circuit preacher) and returned to Troy and stopped and attended a railroad meeting; after meeting we came home quite late. When we got home Mr. Robert H. Clarke of Ohio (family of Virginia) was married to Miss Rebecca H. Elbert of Iowa, January 3rd by the Rev. Samuel Clarke of the Iowa Conference. My wife and myself were at the wedding. It was a large wedding; say some 40; we had quite a pleasant time indeed. They were married at 6 o’clock PM. There were dressed very plain but rich and did not seem the least dashed. After they were married we had a fine supper (though plain) we took supper a standing. After we had enjoyed ourselves for some time in talking and singing we had prayer by S. Clark. IMG 8 February 1st 1850 Clear and very cold, wind blew quite hard from northwest rather increased in the evening and blew very hard all night. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s with my team in the morning for some pork that I bought of him. Returned home and salted the said meat and then hauled a load of wood for myself. When I returned home, I found Dr. Elbert at my house. He seemed to be in bad humor about his difficulties with Ebenezer Wilson. While he was in my house, Mr. Scot stopped in to see the Dr. The Dr. and myself had considerable of talk about going to the gold mines. After dinner I went over to Mr. Spain’s to borrow his maul and iron wedge to split up some old logs that [I] had hauled up for stove wood but did not get them. Returned and chopped wood until dark. My wife washed some of her dirty clothes. She was quite tired at night. IMG 9 February 1850 Saturday 2nd Cold and cloudy wind blew quite hard from the northwest. The sun shone a little in the evening. The wind continued to blow quite hard all day and night. Leroy Elbert came for me to help them but I did not go until about 10 o’clock. After I had been there some time the mail came along. Mr. Robert Clarke and myself came up to the Post Office. I received a letter from Nathan Neer my brother in law in Ohio and two agricultural papers one from St. Louis the other from New York City. Mr. Clark came home with me and took dinner with us; after dinner I went down to Dr. Elbert’s and hauled two loads of corn in the fodder for them with the oxen and sled from the part that Struble farmed. Returned home little before sun down. My wife was not very well; having a violent cold. IMG 10 February 1850 Sunday 3rd – Clear, cold, and very windy wind stiff from the northwest and continued to blow until some time in the night. I think it was the coldest day that we have had up to this time. We all remained at home all day or until late in the evening. I went over to Mr. Spain’s and talked a few minutes with them. I found Miss Groom, Osborn, Mowing [Mowen], and Collins at Mr. Spain’s. I wrote a part of a letter to Mr. Neer my wife’s brother-in-law. All well. Mon 4th - Clear and quite cold, the wind blew a little until the sun arose. It then fell though it blew a little breeze all day. Mr. Spain and myself went to Keosauqua to a railroad meeting. We started about 1/2 past 11 o’clock AM and returned in the evening. I brought some lumber from town for Mr. Claffin Esq. also some old [ware?] for a cook stove. Moderated considerable in the evening all well today. IMG 11 February 1850 Tuesday 5th - Cloudy and high wind from the south and tolerably cold but not as cold as yesterday morning. About 9 o’clock the sun began to shine. By noon it was quite pleasant the wind fell some and by night there little or no wind, quite cool in the evening. I went up to Wm. Cantril’s in the morning for some beef hides. I went by [Wilson’s?] new house to leave some lumber there for him that I brought from Keosauqua yesterday. As I came home, I came by Mr. Hitt’s and took some wheat from them to Keosauqua for Sunderlin. I hauled a load of wood for Wm. Cantril from Keosauqua up to Pull Tail. It was most dark when I got to Pittsburg, quite late when I got home. I took the wood up to Cantril’s before I came home. All well today. EH Brown IMG 12 February 1850 Wednesday 6th - Quite moderate for the time of season. Wind from the south but not so strong as it was yesterday, cloudy in the morning. All about noon to sun shown till late in the evening, then clouded up again and looked like storming, had the appearance of snow in the morning thawed considerably through the ground was thawing quite fast about 9 o’clock PM, wind still from the south and looks like . . raining before morning 9 o’clock PM. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the morning to see him on business, then over to Powell’s, but he was not home I returned and found him at Spain’s. He came to my house to see me on business. We both went up to Richardson’s to see him about money due him for his horses. I returned home and done my chores and went to prayer meeting held at the house of Samuel Clarke, Rev Coleman with us. I was not very well. Mrs. Spain visited my wife EH Brown IMG 13 February 1850 Thursday 7th - Cloudy and warm, wind from the south, thawed very fast all day and had the appearance of raining all day, a little mist fill most all day, but it did not wet much, or none to hurt, until about the middle of the afternoon, it then began to rain considerably the wind blew hard about 8 o’clock at night from the west and did not rain as fast at 8 o’clock as it did before night. The night was very dark, appeared like getting colder, I went to Keosauqua with Mr. Powell to see Mr. [Manning?] for the purpose of getting some money of him, but did not get any. We went by the ferry but returned by Pittsburg and found the ice good at both places. We stopped at Elbert’s as we went and as we returned. We went down on horseback. My wife was not very well today. She was suffering with a bad cold. EH Brown. IMG 14 February 1850 Friday 8th - Cloudy and froze a little, remained windy until 9 o’clock AM. The sun shone clear and warm and thawed very much, became quite muddy by night, wind from the northwest and cleared considerably in the morning but became very calm and pleasant by the middle of the day. As the sun went down it became cooler. By 9 o’clock PM quite cold and freezing very fast, wind from the northwest. Samuel Elbert came to my house before daylight for me to go to Keosauqua for Mr. Shelby Esq. to attend an arbitration between E. Wilson and J.D. Elbert. I took my horse and one of theirs and my wagon and went by Pittsburg. I found the ice very dangerous to be on with a team. I on the river at the mouth of Chequest Creek. I found the ice on the river full of holes. I did not get Mr. Shelby. Returned by Pittsburg. Took Mr. John Godard in the wagon and brought him to Dr. Elbert’s, also request Mr. Kysesinger to be at Dr. Elbert’s by 10 o’clock. He (Mr. K) came on horse back to Dr. Elbert’s. IMG 15 February 1850 February 8th When I came back chopped some wood for the house (Dr.’s) and got some cabbage out of the hole in the garden, then went down to Pittsburg in the Rev. Wright’s for the committee’s report on the verdict brought in against Dr. Elbert at his first trial at the house of Mr. [Bovez?]. Returned in time for dinner at the Drs. and the trial. There was a great many in attendance at the trial. After the referees was chosen they went to view the land the Mr. Wilson farmed or farmed at. Most of the [persons] went along also, after viewing the land and fences, [they] examined the stables, orchard, house, and thrashing floor [they] returned to the school house [where] the trial was [held] in Dr. Elbert’s house in which school is being taught by T. Rankin) and then adjourned for supper to meet again at candlelight. I returned home and done my feeding and then went to Dr. Elbert’s for supper. IMG 16 February 1850 After supper we went to the trial again. The house was crowded, first thing done was to swear Dr. Elbert’s witnesses. I was one of his witnesses. We had it rough and tumble until 5 o’clock next morning. The referees adjourned to take some refreshments to meet again at 9 o’clock AM. As I returned from Keosauqua my wagon broke and came off about 3 miles from home but it did not hinder me from bringing the wagon home. I ought to have said they got through with the witnesses by 5 o’clock next morning then the referees adjourned to take some refreshments. Saturday 9th - Clear and cold, froze quite hard. Wind from the west and had the appearance of being a fine day. Thawed considerably till 12 o’clock when it began to cloud up from the west and the wind began to blow harder and to get colder. By 3 o’clock PM it was very cloudy and by 4 o’clock began to snow and snowed about one hour and a half hard and then stopped snowing. Wind blew very hard and cold by night. IMG 17 February 1850 I went up to Dr. Elbert’s after breakfast to borrow a saddle to ride down to [Center?] Chapel, for the purpose of attending Quarterly Conference. I met brother Cockran coming from the morning service and went home with him for dinner after [dinner we went on to?] Conference, to attend to some charges, which I brought against Brother [Wright?] for neglect of [duty?] but was defeated. I returned home in evening, got home about an hour after night. I stopped at Dr. Elbert’s as I came home and found Mr. Harvey Fiffe from Iowa City, formerly from Ohio. I was glad to see him for I was acquainted with him in Ohio. As I returned home from the Chapel, I met Samuel xxxxxx, George Clarke, Miss Ann Elbert, and Miss Mary Clarke in Dr. Elbert’s carriage going to the Quarterly Meeting. I had my wood to cut for Sabbath after I got home by candlelight. Myself and family are well today. EH Brown. IMG 18 February 1850 Sunday 10th - Clear and tolerably cold, wind from the west but did not blow much, thawed considerably. All the snow melted off the xxxx but little. I wrote a letter to my brother xxxx Brown in Minnesota xxx in the morning after dinner I went over to xxx xxxx xxx Mr. Spain was called off while I was their [there?], on business. I changed the mail before I returned home, being requested by Mr. Spain to do so, he being xxx xxx. Commenced freezing a little sometime before night. Monday 11th - Clear and tolerably cold in the morning, a little breeze in the west before sun rise, became calm as the sun arose, began to cloud up about 11 o’clock AM, very cloudy by night. Looked very much like storming. I went up to Elbert’s after I done my chores and chopped wood at the house for Elbert’s. Mr. Wilson Warner and [Mr. Mayne?] came to the Dr.’s while I was there to make a settlement with the Dr. but failed. The sheriff served a writ on him at the Dr’s. gate. All well today. IMG 19 February 1850 Tuesday 12th - Clear and cool early in the morning, wind from the west, very pleasant after the sun shone an hour or two. I helped Dr. Elbert to draw the water out of his well a part of the day. The other part I spent it at home. My wife sent up to the Drs. after noon to a quilting, she came home by daylight. Mrs. Osborn came to visit my wife in the morning and took dinner with us. Mr. Inskip helped us with the wells. After he got his dinner, both of us worked at one well. I wrote a letter after night to the American Agriculturist published at the City of New York by [C.M. Saxton?]. My horses were not put up last evening, so found them in my neighbor’s field (Mowen’s). They drove them out of course. They had all the dogs in the neighborhood after them with [Jim?] and ox xxxxx and made more noise that 40 prairie wolves could. IMG 20 February 1850 Wednesday 13th - Cloudy in the morning and windy wind from the northwest and blew very hard all day. Cleared up about xxx AM and xxxx some in the evening clouded up again before night and looked like snow. Began to freeze sometime before night. Wind blew quite hard and cold about sundown. I started up to help Elbert in the morning but was met by [Mr. Struble?] and as I had promised him some time before, I went and helped him to husk corn in Dr. Elbert’s field. He had also to help him Mrs. James Mowen, Reynolds, Powers, and Clarke [Willey?]. A gentleman from Keosauqua called to trade for my horses and wagon for the purpose of going to California, we did not quite trade. I went and fixed for Smart to assist xxx xxx xxx tomorrow in my sted. I attended a prayer meeting at night at the District School House. My wife went to Dr. Elbert’s to help quilt.f IMG 21 February 1850 Thursday 14th - A little cloudy in the morning early. Wind from the north, northwest and blew very hard till the sun arose. It then fell until about 8 o’clock AM. It then began to blow again by noon it very hard and continued to blow until 9 o’clock PM. I went to bed and left it blowing. I went to Keosauqua in the morning to sell my horse and wagon. I walked down. I traded with Mr. [Crosby?] for a land warrant. I got the warrant signed over to me and left it in Mr. [Wheeler’s?] hands until I could bring the horse and wagon to him. I found the ice not very good on the river. I took dinner with Mr. Sunderlin in Keosauqua. He (Mr. Sunderlin) and Mr. Benton came out on the prairie with me. After I came home I carried water for my wife to wash with tomorrow. I went up to Mr. Inskip’s and took supper with them. Stopped at spelling school on my way home a little while. My wife not very well today. IMG 22 February 1850 Friday 15th Clear and tolerably cold, a little wind from the northwest and blew about the same all day. I took my [mare?] horse and wagon down to Keosauqua for Mr. Crosby. I went by the ferry. When I got to the river, I left the team and examined the ice and got Mr. Crosby to assist. We took the wagon over first, then the horse. There were several horses wagons crossed over by using plank to get on with. I got my horse and wagon over safe without plank. I left a wagon in the ice close to the Keosauqua shore. They had taken the team over first. The ice was quite xxx indeed. I put both pairs of harnesses in on my mare and brought them home. Got home by 2 o’clock PM after I xxx a while I went up to Mr. Osborn’s and borrowed some flour, returned and shelled some corn for bread. My wife washed today. She was not very well. Mr. Struble delivered my corn today, for the sheep he bought of me last fall, some white and some yellow corn. Quite calm at night. IMG 23 February 1850 Saturday 16th – Clear and cool early in the morning, some wind from the northwest but little wind all day. One of the pleasantest days that we have had this month. I borrowed Mr. Spain’s oxen and wagon to haul some wood. I cut two small hickory trees on Dr. Elbert’s land to saw the wood and was displeased about it. After I got back with the wood. I wrote a letter for the Prairie Farmer. My wife was not very well today. Sunday 17th – Cloudy, wind from the south in the morning, it turned to the north about noon, and by 2 o’clock it was snowing. Snowed about an hour, most of it melted off as fast as it fell. S. Elbert was at my house about ˝ of the day. He took dinner with us. Mr. Spain called in a few moments in the evening. I finished my letter for the Farmer, then went over to Spain’s a few minutes. My wife was quite unwell today Not cold at night. IMG 24 February 1850 Monday 18th - Clear and cool, the ground white with snow that fell yesterday evening, wind from the northwest. The snow soon disappeared after the sun arose. Thawed considerably, quite pleasant about noon. I helped S. H. Elbert to haul rails and put them up on the first string of fence made of the lane through the farm. Mr. H Richardson called on me in the morning for the money that I am owing him for my horses and wagon. My wife spent the evening with Mrs. Spain. I took supper with them also. I shelled corn at night. Tuesday 19th - Clear and windy, wind from the south and tolerably cool early in the morning. Thawed considerably through the day, quite warm at night, wind still in the south. I hauled rails in the forenoon by myself for the Elbert after noon S.H.E. helped me. I took breakfast and dinner with Elbert’s. Mr. Cooly hauled rails with his team for Elbert. I shelled some corn at night. I called on Mr. Spain a few minutes at night. IMG 25 February 1850 Wednesday 20th Cloudy and warm early in the morning looked very much rain, wind from the southwest in the morning and blew very hard all day. The wind turned, by evening, to the northwest and blew quite cool in the evening. Cleared off by 9 o’clock AM, sunset clear. I helped S.H. Elbert to haul corn fodder and piled it up in the woods pasture. Took a load of corn home with us in the evening. I shelled white corn for bread at night for myself. All well today. EH Brown Thursday 21st - Clear and pleasant, wind from the northwest but did not blow much. I sent 3 bags of corn to mill by Mr. Spain. I then helped Elberts to clean up some wheat to send by Spain also. While I was there, Mr. McDonald and J. Kisinger came by to look at my cow. He wanted her to go to California. I went back to Elbert’s and chopped wood till dinner. After dinner S.H. Elbert and I finished fodder of the cornfield. I got 53 Dols. of Mr. Inskip on a land warrant. All well today. IMG 26 February 1850 Friday 22nd - Clear and tolerably cool early in the morning. Wind from the northwest but did not blow much. Quite a pleasant day; thawed considerably through today. Took my red cow up to Elbert’s and put her in his xxxx lot to keep her off his grain field and let my black cow run out in the state road. Borrowed Mr. A. Spain’s mare to ride her down to Keosauqua for the purpose of getting my land warrant and seeing the sons of temperance celebrate the birthday of General George Washington, I went down by the ferry and crossed below the dam. Gave Mr. Inskip his land warrant and paid Mr. Crosby his money. Then went up to the Court House, heard an address delivered by a gentleman from Burlington, Iowa, a tolerably good address. The sons marched back to the Temperance Hall and took dinner in the xxx one xxx but the sons in the Hall. I did my shopping, then returned home by Pittsburg. Leroy Elbert came with me. I paid Mr. K Richardson [Nathar Richardson?] the $50 that I owed him for his horses called on Mr. Spain in the evening. There were a great many sons present or in attendance today. IMG 27 February 1850 Saturday 23rd - Clear and very pleasant. Wind from the east early in the morning, by noon it was in the south. It blew quite hard in the afternoon and became some cloudy in the [afternoon] about 3 o’clock but became clear again before sundown. A few drops of rain fell after night, not much cloudy at the time the rain fell. I went over to Mr. A. [Albert] Spain’s before breakfast for some corn meal; got it, returned home. After breakfast I got Dr. Elbert’s oxen and wagon to haul some corn fodder for myself out of the field that Mr. Reynold farmed. Found most of the fodder destroyed by cattle and hogs. I picked about eight stacks out of 20 stacks and hauled them home. S.H. Elbert was at my house in the morning, R.M. Clarke came down about 11 o’clock AM and waited at my house awhile for the mail, but it did not get along as early as common. He started home, met the mail, and came back to the P.O. After dinner I cut and hauled Dr. Elbert a load of wood. Borrowed some flour of Mr. A. Spain in the evening. My wife was not very well today. EH Brown. IMG 28 February 1850 Sunday 24th – Clear and very windy. Wind from the south, a white frost this morning, quite pleasant. The frost soon disappeared after the sun arose. The wind continued to blow and rise higher until sometime in the evening when it come to a stand and turned a little to the west, though blowing quite hard. About the middle of the afternoon it began to cloud up and had the appearance of snowing. Mr. Robert H. Clarke came to my house about 10 o’clock AM to spend the day with us but was sent for the purpose of going to the Rev. S. Clarke with his wife and others. S.H. Elbert came for him. PM the wind at this time (4 o’clock) is blowing quite hard and tolerably cool, quite cloudy, wind from the west. My wife called over to Mr. A. Spain’s a few minutes in the evening. She was not very well today. I spent the day at home in reading and studying about various things. Dr. Elbert passed by in the morning and requested me to take my mare off of his meadow. I called on Mr. Spain in the evening a few minutes. IMG 29 February 1850 Monday 25th Clear and pleasant, a little wind from the south, thawed considerably. I helped Dr. Elbert. S.H. Elbert and I hauled hay in the morning from the meadow that Wilson cut. In the evening we went out for a load of corn, the corn that Wilson raised, we found the ground very soft and bad for the team we put on seven stacks of corn but found it quite difficult to start it, or rather to make the team start. After we started the team the ground was so rough that it threw the load to one side and a part of it fell off. We put it on again and before we got far the double tree broke so we had to get the Dr’s and Inskip’s oxen to take the load home. After we got home we fixed up the corner of the stack yard fence next to the road. Dr. Elbert borrowed my harness, returned it in the evening. Quite calm and pleasant in the evening. All well today. IMG 30 February 1850 Tuesday 26th - Clear and pleasant in the morning, became cloudy in the evening and looked some like raining in a short time, calm all day. A little wind blew from the west sometime after sunset. As I went up to Elbert’s, I took my mare to the stalk field and put her in it. I husked some corn in the morning, fixed Mr. Inskip’s wagon to go to the river with Mr. R.M. Clarke’s goods, then helped Mr. Scot to haul two loads wood for Dr. Elbert by noon. After noon Scot hauled wood by himself. I stayed at the house until Mr. Clarke got off. S.H. Elbert drove the wagon. Mr. Clarke and wife went in Dr. Elbert’s Buggy. After they got off I drove the hogs out of the stack yard and fixed the fence some. I then went to Keosauqua for Mr. Hocomb to get him to come to Elbert’s. The Dr. wished to see him to get some information about California. I rode S.H. Elbert’s horse down and came home on Mr. F. Warner’s wagon. Mr. Hocomb rode the horse. My wife went to Mr. and Mrs. Clark start. IMG 31 February 1850 Wednesday 27th - Clear in the forenoon and until about the middle of the afternoon when it began to cloud up, by night it looked very much like raining before morning. It rained a little in the night. Wind from the east it was quite calm in the morning. It did not blow much through the day. It began to blow tolerably strong by dark. Thawed more today then it had for some days back. The roads were quite muddy in places. I helped Dr. Elbert today. I chopped awhile in the morning at the house, then went to the woods with Scot. Scot hauled, I chopped in the morning. Scot chopped and I hauled in the evening. Hauled two loads. We then dug a ditch under Elbert’s porch and around his well, to lead the water off, so it would not run into his well. By this time it was dark. I took supper with the Dr. I stopped off the District School House for prayer meeting as I came home. Mrs. Reynolds called a few minutes to see my wife in the evening. My wife was not very well today E.H.B. IMG 32 February 1850 Thursday 28th - Clear until about 10 o’clock AM, calm early in the morning. About 10 o’clock it began to cloud up and the wind began to blow from the west. By noon the wind blew harder then it did any time this winter and continued to get higher until it blew a hurricane almost. 9 o’clock PM the wind was blowing very hard indeed. About noon it partly cleared off, sometimes clear and sometimes cloudy, quite chilly in the evening late. I went up to Elbert’s early in the morning began to chop wood at the house, when Dr. Elbert came out to me and requested me to walk with him down to Mr. John Mowne’s for the purpose of examining the school records. When we got there we found they were at Mr. Warner’s (Senior) so we walked over to Mr. Warner’s and examined the records and returned home for breakfast (quite late). After breakfast Dr. Elbert went to Keosauqua. I stopped the pig holes in his yard fence by splitting boards and nailing on the slats of boards over the large cracks and putting nails under the fence (on the ground). After I got that done… IMG 33 February 1850 Thursday 28th - I dug out some stones out of a ditch running from the southeast corner of his house (Elbert’s) to the well next to Inskip’s. By this time dinner was ready. Mr. John Scott was there for dinner. He worked with me in the afternoon. We took away the boards and filth from around the well close to the kitchen and brought stone and clay and put the stones down first then the clay and rammed it down solid around the frame so the water could not run into the well. After we done that, we dug a ditch leading from the house to another ditch, for the purpose of preventing the water from running down to the well, then filled up the old ditch running from the corner of the house to the well next to Inskip’s with clay and rammed it also. I split up some wood for the house, got supper and came home, brought some cabbage home with me from Elbert’s. My son John was quite sick in the evening. My wife was not very well today. Quite late when I got to bed tonight. E.H. Brown. IMG 34 March 1850 Friday 1st - Clear and very cold, wind from the west but it did not blow so hard as it did yesterday, froze very hard. The wind blew some all day and quite cool too. Thawed considerably in the evening but it did not thaw all that it froze by considerable. Tolerably cold this evening again. The wind did not blow as much late in the evening as it did through the day. Some cloudy a little before sundown. I went up to the stalk field before breakfast for my cow, then went up to Dr. Elbert’s. Chopped wood till breakfast, then went over to Mr. Inskip’s for to help him fix his horse stable. Found Messrs. Sunderlin there, so I set and talked sometime with them. After we fixed the stable I got the Dr.’s and Inskip’s oxen and Dr’s wagon to take a load of corn to McDonald in Pittsburg. Mr. Edwin Inskip helped me to load the corn. As I came home, I fetched a load of wood with me for Inskip. Quite late when I got back home. I brought 3 lbs. from Pittsburg for myself. I took dinner with Inskip. I got $12.00 from Inskip, the balance due on my land warrant. Mr. Reynolds moved out of Dr’s. house today. IMG 35 March 1850 Saturday 2nd – Cloudy until some time in the evening, when it became more clear, though more or less cloudy all day. Wind from the northwest, did not blow much, not very cold in the morning. S. H. Elbert, John Scot, and myself sowed blue grass seed in the forenoon. Scot and myself first sowed some along down the bottoms back of the Struble house, then down the lane to the Wood’s pasture and all over it as far as the seed would go. I hauled a load of wood for myself in the afternoon, with Dr. Elbert’s oxen. S. H. Elbert called in my house and took supper with us. After supper we went to a school meeting held in the District School House. Not many in attendance, adjourned to meet again on Monday night next. My wife got a letter today from Mrs. Denton and Mrs. Houlton, Minnesota Ter. I send five dollars by Mr. A. Brooks, Esq. to Mr. Waske, Keosauqua to pay him for goods bought of him sometime ago. Wind blew tolerably hard about 8 o’clock P.M. All Well today. IMG 36 March 1850 Sunday 3rd – Cloudy in the morning until about 10 o’clock AM. The ground was white with snow, quite cold in the morning, wind from the northwest. The wind did not blow much through the day. Miss Mary Clarke and her brother James stopped at our house on their way to the church. Miss Mary stopped for dinner as she returned home. I remained at home all day. Spent the day in reading and talking and looking over my books and papers. Miss Mary Clarke went home some time before night. The atmosphere in the north and west appeared hazy and heavy. Had the appearance of storming before long. Quite pleasant in evening but not so warm as it has been for some days passed. Rev A Wright preached at the Chapel at 11 o’clock today and had general class meeting after preaching. My wife was not well today. Most calm just before sundown. My son Calvin went up to meeting today. IMG 37 March 1850 Monday 4th – Clear and tolerably cool, wind from the west, but it did not blow much. It was very pleasant after the sun was up a while, say about 9 o’clock. Thawed all that it froze the night before, quite muddy in places. I went to mill for Dr. Elbert with the oxen. I took Mr Inskip’s two yoke and the Dr.’s wagon (I went to Bentonsport mill). I got there about 2 o’clock PM. I bought two (200) hundred cwt. of flour for myself. I come back by Keosauqua. I had some trouble getting through the woods from Keosauqua on account of one yoke of oxen being wild. I got back by 9 o’clock PM. I left my grist in the wagon at the Dr.’s until the morrow. I took supper at the Dr.’s while I was yet there Mr. Groom, Mr. Osborn and Mr. S. Clarke stopped in at the Dr.’s from a school meeting held in the District School House. Dr. Elbert drew up an article. I signed 1˝ scholars Mr. T. Rankin to be the teacher. E.H. Brown IMG 38 March 1850 Tuesday 5th – Clear until about noon when it began to cloud up and by 3 o’clock PM it was quite cloudy, began rain about an hour before sunset. A few drops of snow fell first before the rain. Wind from the south or southeast. Rained considerably by dark not very cold. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s before breakfast for my flour and meal, brought it down in the Dr.’s wagon and with Inskip’s oxen. I returned all the flour and meal that owed to my neighbors. My wife washed and I had to bring her water. After dinner I went up to Dr. Elbert’s to see him but he was not at home. I returned home and went up to Cantril’s store. I walked up. I paid him 4.00 Dols. on my account and brought Mr. Spain a jug of molasses with me as I returned, began to rain while I was at the store. I got some wet coming home. After I got home I put in two panes of glass in my window. We had mush for our suppers. All tolerably well today. E. H. Brown IMG 39 March 1850 Wednesday 6th – Storming sometime raining and sometimes snowing, wind from the west, stormed more or less till noon, cloudy all day. After sundown the wind raised and by 9 o’clock PM it blew very hard. Dr. Elbert came to my house while we were eating breakfast he did not set long. I went up to his house soon after breakfast and helped S.H. Elbert to take the stone out of the [struble?] house and put up it into the mover’s room, then we hauled a load of corn out of the Wilson corn, by this time it was noon. After dinner I took the Dr.’s old oxen over to [Squire Hilliss?]. I rode their Jack horse and took some flour to the Squire that the Dr. had borrowed of him. I found the road quite bad in some places My wife finished her washing (she began yesterday). I eat my supper at home. Mr. Reynolds was at the Dr.’s trying to settle but they could make it go off. All well today. IMG 40 March 1850 Thursday 7th – Cloudy in the morning until about 9 o’clock AM. Cleared off and was a beautiful day. The wind was from the west in the morning, by noon it was from the south. It was most entirely calm in the evening, not much wind anytime through the day. Dr. Elbert called at my house early in the morning as he passed by and requested me to sow his clover seed. I went up to his house for breakfast. I brought the seed down in a bag and began to sow close to my house, finished sowing all the seed by 2 o’clock PM but did not finish the ground. After I finished the seed I went to the cornfield and husked corn till night. Mr. Scot husked corn all day. We came home together in the evening as far as the wheat field. He went to the Dr.’s and I came home. Mrs. Spain called on my wife a few minutes in the evening. My wife was in a bad humor in the evening. Things did please her right. My son Robert Clarke was not well today. IMG 41 March 1850 Friday 8th – Clear in the morning and the [wind] was very strong from the south. By noon it was quite warm and began to cloud up. By noon the wind did not blow so hard as it did in the morning. By night it looked very much like rain, it was very warm and by dark the wind blew but little. I helped Dr. Elbert. The Dr. called at my house early in the morning and wrote a school notice and I signed it. After the Dr. left I left for to go up to the Dr.’s after breakfast. I went over to cornfield (Wilson’s field) and husked corn until about 11 o’clock. By this time S.H. Elbert brought the wagon. We loaded it and went to dinner. We hauled a load after dinner and fixed up the straw rack and filled it with hay and castrated some hogs. My wife visited Mrs. Osborn today. Quite late when I got home from the Dr.’s. EH Brown IMG 42 March 1850 Saturday 9th – Cloudy and the wind from the northwest and blew almost gale all day and quite cold in the morning froze some in the morning before the sun arose. The wind blew very cold all day. The wind fell with sun, very cold at night. The mail did not get along until most sundown I got a quit claim deed from my brother in Minnesota Terr. for some property in Indian. Mr. Richardson (Nathan) spent the evening with me. Mr. Inskip called in my house a few minutes. Mr. D Hitt and Mr. S.H. Elbert were at my house also in the evening. I chopped wood at Dr. Elbert’s house until noon, then spent the evening at home. Mr. Sunderlin and [son?] took dinner with Dr. Elbert. Some 15 or 20 wagons passed by bound for California. Most of the teams were ox teams. Two of our children were not very well late into the evening. I received a Prairie Farmer this mail. I caught two of my pigs with Spain’s dogs and put them into the pen again with some others in the morning. IMG 43 March 1850 Sunday 10th – Clear and pleasant some wind from the northwest and blew quite cool. The wind fell with the sun. I wrote a letter to my brother in Min. Ter. [Minnesota Territory]. Mrs. Spain and Mrs. Richison [Richardson] called on my wife a . . . few minutes about 11 o’clock AM. Mr. Richison took dinner with us. After dinner Mr. Richison went over to Mr. Spain’s and I went with him. While I was there, Mr. Inskip and wife came to Mr. Spain’s. Several wagons passed by bound for California. My wife walked up to Dr. Elbert’s in the evening. As she returned Mrs. Elbert and S.H. Elbert walked up the road with her as far as the District School House. They went into the house. Mrs. Elbert returned home and S.H. Elbert came on with my wife. He took supper with us. After supper he and I walked down to Bonner’s to a Class Meeting. I returned home after meeting. All well today. IMG 44 March 1850 Monday 11th – Clear and cool in the morning wind from the west. It would not have been so cool if the wind had not been down. Dr. Elbert came to my house quite early in the morning to see if I could take Insteps wagon up to the blacksmiths in Business Corner, some 14 or 16 miles above Keosauqua and opposite of Portland but about ˝ of a mile from the river. I took it and went by Keosauqua stopped in Keosauqua to feed my team and I took dinner with Mr. Sunderlin Esq. I got up to Business Corner about ľ of an hour before sundown. I stayed over night with Mr. [Truit] from Ohio. He lives between the river and Business Corner about half way. Mr. Zac Walker called in at Mr. Truit’s after dark and sit quite late talking about California. I saw some good farms on the road. Winter wheat looks much better up there then it does with us. I like that part of the country tolerably well. IMG 45 March 1850 Tuesday 12th - Cloudy and windy the wind from south. The wind blew very hard from about midnight until a little before sunset when it fell a little but it blew considerably after dark. Cloudy most all day, the sun shone sometimes a little quite smoky or hazy all day. Left Mr. Turil’s soon after breakfast. Mr. Turil rode on of my horses as far as Business Corner. I left the wagon to the Smith Shop in Business Corner to be fitted up for California. When I got to the sawmill a young man rode one of the horses as far as Mr. Miller’s. When I got Keosauqua the wind blew so hard I could not ferry. I crossed at Pittsburg. After dinner I went out into the cornfield where S.H. Elbert and Inskip were hauling corn. Talked with them a little while, then went to see my bay mare in the stubble field. Returned home. I went up to the schoolhouse a few minutes in the evening to a spelling school. IMG 46 March 1850 Wednesday 13th Cloudy early in the morning. Cleared off about an hour after sunrise. The wind was from the south in the morning but by noon it was from the west and it blew tolerably strong and tolerably cool too. Rained considerably in the night, thundered some in the night also. It was the first that I have heard this spring. By night the earth was dry again. I took breakfast at home then took my ax and went up to Inskip’s. Dr. Elbert came there and wanted me to help to haul in corn. S.H. Elbert and I hauled in the morning, Inskip and I in the evening. S.H. Elbert . . . went to Keosauqua for We finished hauling the Dr.’s Corn in out of the field. Mr. Smart came for his corn in the evening. I did not feel well today. I was quite sore and dull all day. Mr. Spain got home in the evening from the upper part of Iowa. Inskip and S.H. Elbert went to the river to fish in the evening. IMG 47 March 1850 Thursday 14th – Clear and very pleasant, the wind was in the south in the morning, by 10 o’clock it was in the west, there was but little wind all day. I chopped wood at Elbert’s till breakfast. First thing after breakfast was to clean up the barn and clean some [Rey?]. Mr. Scot and I put some litter that contained some hayseed in the wagon as we went out for hay and scattered it on the field next the house. We hauled a load of hay by dinner and two after dinner. Mr. S. Davis took dinner with Dr. Elbert also John Clarke Esq. My wife went up to Mr. Cantril’s store in the morning in company with Miss C. Spain. Mrs. Spain took supper with my wife. After supper I walked over with Mr. Spain and sit until bedtime. Mr. Inskip came to Spain’s while I was there. Lightened some in the south after night. All well today. EH Brown. IMG 48 March 1850 Friday 15th - Clear and windy, wind from the northwest. I set in the house most of the day in consequence of my ankle be sprained the evening before. It did not pain me much until some time in the night when it pained me very much. I hobbled over to Mr. Spain’s after night to see him about exchanging work in hauling wood. Mr. S.H. Elbert was at Mr. Spain’s and he came home with me and set a short time with us. My wife went over to Mr. Spain’s in the morning on an errand then she went up to Dr. Elbert’s for some beans. When she returned home she rode the Dr.’s wagon as they went for hay. (Mr. Elbert H.S.) called in a few minutes as he passed by. Mr. Rankin’s1 [Thomas Rankin] school closed this evening (winter term). Several of the children’s parents called in to see and hear the scholars examined in their various branches of study. Some of the scholars came off with flying colors. Next term of school commences the first Monday in April. _________________________ 1 Rankin, Thomas, retired merchant, Keosauqua; born January 16, 1821, in Licking Co., Ohio; came to this county in 1842; commenced the mercantile business in Keosauqua in 1850, which he continued till 1853, when he was elected County Treasurer, which office he filled for two terms; in 1857, he was elected County Judge, and, in 1859, commenced the mercantile business, which he continued till 1875; since that time has been interested in the business at Davis City, Decatur Co., with his sons, J. C. and A. T. He was married to Amanda Bonner, of this county, Oct. 8, 1845; she was born in July, 1821, in Greene Co., Ohio; they have four children living -- James C., Mary E., Archie T. and George A.; lost two -- Martha and Samuel. Members of the M. E. Church; Democrat. 1878 Van Buren Twp., Van Buren County, IA, Biographical Directory of Citizens IMG 49 March 1850 Saturday 16th – Cloudy early in the morning and late in the evening, the sun shone some through the day. I looked very much like rain in the evening late. It was quite warm all day, the wind blew cool in the morning from the northwest but it was quite warm in the afternoon. The wind blew a smart breeze all day from the northwest. I went over to Mr. Spain’s early in the morning to grind my axe. Mr. Spain and I ground it. As we went for wood, we stopped at Dr. Elbert’s [and] helped him to get Mr. Inskip’s black mare in the fence corner (she was laying in the middle of the road by his house) with the big head. We hauled three loads: one for Elbert, one for Spain, and one for myself. Mrs. Elbert visited my wife today. Mr. S.H. Elbert took supper with us. I went up home with him to get his hand [truck, trowel?]. I called at Mr. Spain’s a few minutes after I returned from Dr. Elbert’s. My wife was quite unwell this evening. My ankle was quite smart today. IMG 50 March 1850 Sunday 17th – Cloudy and raining a little in the morning. Wind from the northwest it did not blow much in the forepart of the day, cleared off a little before sundown, by dark the wind blew very hard and quite cool, very cloudy most of the day. I walked over to Mr. A. Spain’s after breakfast and talked a few minutes with him, returned home. Dr. Elbert called in a few minutes in the morning. After he left S.H. Elbert came to my house and stayed until in the evening. A great many California teams passed in course of the day, some oxen and some horses. Mr. A. Spain came over to my house a little before Sundown and set until time for us to start for Class Meeting held at C.H. Bonners. I walked down with him. Mr. Allender [George Allender] and wife [Ann Bonner Allender] were at Mr. [Chappell] Bonners.2 Not many at the meeting tonight. Quite cool late in the evening. The wind was from the north after dark. All well today. IMG 51 March 1850 Monday 18th - Clear and quite cold and windy, wind from the northwest and very high in the forepart of the day, but not so strong in the latter part, quite cold in the evening. I chopped and split wood until about 10 o’clock AM, then went up to Mr. Cantril’s store. Mrs. Powell also Mr. Powell was not at home. I returned home for dinner. After dinner I [went up to] the school meeting held in the District School House. After the meeting adjourned, I got Mr. A. Spain’s mare and went up to Mr. Powell’s but he was not at home yet. I waited until he came home. I returned home by Mr. [Daniel] Hitt’s. I took supper with him. I stopped at Mr. Warner’s as I came home from Hitt’s, quite late when I got home. I then went up to Dr. Elbert’s, found him in bed. After talking awhile with him, I came home. My family had gone to bed when I got home from Dr. Elbert’s. My wife put in her comforter in the frame to quilt it. All well today. EH Brown _________________________ 2 George Allender and his brothers ran a mill in Vernon. He married Ann Bonner in 1847 after his first wife died. George later sold the mill. He and Anne moved to Idaho and George became a Methodist Circuit Riding minister. The Allender house still stands in Vernon. IMG 52 March 1850 Tuesday 19th Clear and cool, wind from the south. The wind arose with the sun, by noon the wind quite strong and quite cool. About noon it began to cloud up some. Quite cloudy by 3 o’clock PM I went over to Mr. A Spain’s before breakfast and got him to cut my hair. After breakfast I started for Indiana on business, intending to stop at Dr. Elbert’s and wait there for Mr. A. Brook to come by with his wagon on his road to Keokuk. I intended to go with him there, but he did not come along. I got tired of waiting so I went up to his store and found that his horse was lame so he could not go today. I concluded to wait until morning for him. I returned home for dinner. After dinner I went up to Dr. Elbert’s again. My wife knitted a comfort[er] for herself today. A great many wagons passed today bound for California, some horses and some oxen. I went up to a prayer meeting held in the Chapel at night. Not many at meeting. IMG 53 March 1850 Monday was a clear and pleasant day. We left St Louis about an hour before sundown and ran 40 miles and stopped for the night. The river (Miss.) being low the boat did not run in the night. Tuesday morning we started quite early and got into the Ohio River about an hour after night. Found the Ohio River very high; overflowing its banks. Wednesday - I took the cholera in the morning, paid but little attention to it till sometime in the evening. I commenced to try to check it but failed. Thursday I still tried to check it but it grew worse. The Capt. came down in the evening and gave me some calomel3 and opium. Late in the night I took a mixture of medicines for cholera, which the Capt. gave me. It helped me considerably but did not check my bowels altogether. Friday I still took the mixture and kept close to my bed. Saturday morning we got into Cin. [Cincinnati, Ohio] about daybreak. IMG 54 March 1850 I started from the boat as soon as it was light, for my friends that live in Cin. Ohio. I got to Mr. Cole’s for Breakfast. I wrote a letter to my wife in the evening. I stayed with my friends until Thursday evening. I took a boat for Aurora, Ind. I walked from Aurora to Mr. B. Boardman’s, about 6 miles from Aurora. I got out to Boardman’s by sundown and stayed over night with him. Friday - Mr. Boardman sent me to Aurora on horseback. One of his sons came with me to take the horse back. From Aurora I walked up the river to Lawrenceburg [Indiana], 4 miles from Aurora. I wanted to see Mr. Raymond who lives in Lawrenceburg. When I got there, Mr. Raymond was not at home. I waited until Saturday after dinner. I took boat for Aurora on my way back to Mr. Boardman’s. I stayed with them until Monday. Monday morning I got a horse of Mr. Boardman and went out to Dillsbourough [Dillsboro, Indiana] to see my property and tried to sell it but failed. Returned the horse in the evening to Mr. Boardman. _________________________ 3 Unfortunately for people stricken with cholera, the treatment, at least before the American Civil War, was almost as bad as the illness. Doctors routinely prescribed calomel for cholera victims. Calomel contained mercury, and numerous people died from mercury poisoning or suffered other ill effects from this drug. Ohio History website. IMG 55 March 20, 1850 Cloudy and storming, the ground covered with snow and still snowing some little. It is melting quite fast. Wind from the northwest. It was not very strong. Wednesday morning about sunrise, I left for Indiana about 9 o’clock AM. I walked up to Dr. Elbert’s and waited there till Mr. A. Banks came along with his wagon bound for Keokuk. He came along about 10 o’clock AM. We went as far as Farmington the first day. Stayed at the Weyby House overnight. Went to John Arrowsmith’s for dinner. Got to Keokuk about 4 o’clock PM. It was a cold windy day, rained some in the evening as we went from Bonaparte to Farmington. We stopped at a sugar camp and got some wax and sugar to eat. We went by Samuel Davise’s for dinner the first day. We dined in the wagon on some cake that I had in my pocket. Found the road to Bonaparte quite muddy. IMG 56 March 21, 1850 I took passage on the Packet Kat Kearney at Keokuk bound for St. Louis about 10 o’clock PM. We did not leave until about midnight. The next day was a cool and windy day. I did not know what course the wind was from as I was unacquainted with river. I left Keokuk March 22nd and got into St Louis Saturday morning March 24th a little before sunrise. I did not take a boat for Cin. Ohio until Monday morning. I called on Mr. Downey and took dinner with him. I slept on the boat with a gentleman of the name of Brown from Virginia who had been out to Iowa. For my meals I sometimes got cakes at the grocery and eating rooms. I took deck passage from St. Louis to Cin. Sunday March 26th were very cold and windy day, snowed most of forenoon, wind from the north. By sundown most of the snow had melted off and made the streets very muddy. I remained on the steam boat (in which I slept) Keungarian until after the storm. I walked over the City in the evening some. IMG 57 April 1850 I came back to Aurora in the evening of the day that I went to Dillbourough [Dillsboro, Indiana] expecting to get there in time for the evening packet to Cin., Ohio. I got to Aurora an hour after she left for Cin. I walked up to Lawrenceburg and waited for the mail boat which came about midnight. I remained on the boat until morning. I went up to my friends for breakfast, I intended to have started home this day but my friends thought it best for me to rest until tomorrow. Wednesday morning, I went down to the river and engaged my passage to St Louis. I bid my friends farewell about eleven o’clock AM. The boat did not start until 3 o’clock PM. the weather was cool and windy. Saturday was a rainy day. It rained hard all day and most of the night Sunday. It snowed in the forenoon and by night the snow was eight inches deep. We got into St Louis between 11 and 12 o’clock AM. The wind blew so hard that we could not run up fast. There was but little sickness on board. IMG 58 April 1850 We was very much crowded on the boat. There was 234 passengers in the cabin and 254 in the deck. I came into the cabin. I was not very well on my way down the Ohio. I shipped off the steamer Silas Wright (that was the name of the boat that I came from Cin. to St. Louis on) on the steamer Lucy Bertman bound for Keokuk. She did not leave St. Louis until Monday evening 6 o’clock. After breakfast I went up Mr. Downey’s and stayed until eleven o’clock AM. I boarded on the boat (Lucy Bertman). I spent most of the evening on the boat. We started from St Louis half past five o’clock PM. The night was dark and cold. Tuesday was a cold and wet day with a high wind from the northwest. We had a crowded time of it, somewhere between 111 and 175 cabin passengers. We got up to Keokuk half past 1 o’clock Wednesday morning. It began to snow about dark and snowed until 3 o’clock PM. It was a bad time to land for a boat, for the night was dark and storming. IMG 59 April 17, 1850 I found the streets of Keokuk very muddy. I got my feet quite wet in going from the steamer up to the stage office. I left Keokuk half past 4 o’clock AM for Keosauqua in the stage. I got my breakfast 10 miles from Keokuk, it was very cold and disagreeable day for traveling in a stage. I got to Bonaparte by 2 o’clock PM. There I got into another hack for Keosauqua. I got into Keosauqua by half an hour before sunset. I stopped a few minutes in town, I walked home, came by Pittsburg. I got home by 9 o’clock PM, found my family in tolerably good health though some of them had been sick while I was gone. I found the roads from Keosauqua quite muddy. I paid 2.25 dols. fare from Keokuk to Keosauqua. I met Messrs. Marlow and Wheelen in Keokuk bound for St Louis. I found that Dr. Elbert’s company had started for California the day before I got home. EH Brown IMG 60 April 18th 1850 Cloudy and cool all day and calm also. I stayed at home in the morning. Mr. Evert came to my house before I got up. As I was tired and not very well, I did not get up very early. Mr. S.H. Elbert Esq. called in the morning to see me. Dr. J.D. Elbert called at the door a few minutes as he was passing by. I spent most of the forenoon in recording or writing notes of my trip to Cin., Ohio and Dillsboro, Ind. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the evening. I did not find the doctor at home but he returned home before I left. Mr. Godard and Lady were at Dr. Elbert’s. I did not return home until late in the evening. Messrs. S.H. Elbert and John Spain called on me in the evening and set until bedtime. My wife quilted on her quilt, which she had in frame for some time past. I called in at our District School as I went up to Dr. Elbert’s. I stopped but a few minutes. Mr. McDonald’s company started for California this day, April 18, 1850. IMG 61 April 19, 1850 Cloudy and cook rained most of the day, wind from the southeast, not very strong. I did not feel so well in the morning as I did yesterday. Dr. Elbert sent for me early in the morning by LeRoy, I did not go up. S.H. Elbert called in a few minutes in the morning. I took medicine in the morning. I walked over to Mr. Spain’s in the morning but did not stay long. S.H. Elbert came to my house after dinner and set sometime as it was raining. My wife took some flour over to Mrs. Spain and a little bread, as she was sick. I finished writing notes of my trip to Ohio. My wife quilted on her quilt. S.H. Elbert called late in the evening to see me on about farming. I walked over to Mr. Spain’s in the evening late and took supper with them. I returned home about dark. Several companies bound for California passed through the day. EH Brown IMG 62 April 20, 1850 Cloudy and cold for the time, had the appearance of snow, wind from the northwest, not strong. Dr. Elbert called early in the morning to see me, stopped but a few minutes only, he returned home. I felt considerably better to day then I did yesterday. S.H. Elbert and Mr. Cooper plowed in the field, which my house is situated on, for oats and spring wheat. I went up to Mrs. Inslip’s in the evening. I set sometime talking with her and then went over to Dr. Elbert’s. I stayed there until late in the evening. S.H. Elbert came up to the house from the field and I walked out to the field with him on my way home. Mrs. Sunderlin was at Dr. Elbert’s. The Rev. Samuel Clarke called on me in the morning, he stayed about an hour with me. I walked over to Mr. Spain’s some time before the mail came and waited till it came. I received two papers today to wit. The Albany Cultivator and American Agriculturist. Wind from the northeast, the wind was not strong. IMG 63 April 21, 1850 Cloudy and began to rain by 9 o’clock AM and rained most of the day, wind from the northeast. It did not blow much in the morning but it blew considerably in the evening, late. Stopped raining by sunset or nearly so. S.H. Elbert called for me to go with him to Sabbath School. I went up with him. We organized the school. I was appointed librarian. I returned home soon as school closed. Mr. S.H. Elbert took dinner with us. After dinner I wrote a letter to my sister in Law in Ohio. I took it over to the office as soon as I finished it. I found Messrs. Groom and Evert at Mr. A. Spain’s. I set talking with them till late in the evening. Mr. John Clarke called in at Spain’s while I was at Mr. Spain’s. The roads were very muddy by night. The wind continued to blow until I went to bed, which was about 9 o’clock. All well today. EH Brown IMG 64 April 22, 1850 Cloudy in the forenoon with a cold northwest wind, which blew hard all day, some sun in the evening. Near sundown the wind fell some I think. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the morning early. A gentleman for Moline, Ill had stopped over Sunday with him, who had some plows for sale. We tried them after breakfast and was quite well pleased with them. The gentleman left them with Dr. Elbert for sale, Dr. Elbert acting as his agent. There were several of the neighbors present to look at the plows, most of them liked them. After dinner I went down to Mr. Bonner’s and borrowed a hoe to cut corn stalks on my wheat. I cut until most night and started home. Stopped at Mrs. Inskip’s and Dr. Elbert’s. I took my mare Jane up to Dr. Elbert’s and put her into his stable yard for to run to his straw rack. Brought her home in the evening with me. My wife quilted on her quilt today. All well. IMG 65 April 23, 1850 Clear and very cold, froze most hard enough to [bare?] a man with a cold northwest wind. I built a pen for my pigs in the morning before breakfast. After breakfast I went over to Mr. A Spain’s and ground my hoe to cut corn stalks with. I stopped at Dr. Elbert’s and helped S.H. Elbert to mark some calves. S.H. Elbert helped me to cut corn stalks until noon. I plowed in the evening with the oxen, first finished plowing a truck patch for them, then plowed for corn. Mr. Robert Dulup was buried today at 12 o’clock AM. Rev. S. Clarke preached the funeral sermon. I did not go. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the evening after I done my work for some hay. I got 100 lbs. and carried it home on my back. I found it to be a heavy load, before I got home. No wind after sunset. I wrote a letter to Mr. Raymond in Ind. after night. All well. IMG 66 April 24, 1850 Clear and pleasant, wind from the south. The wind blew tolerably hard most of the day. I went over to Mr. A Spain’s after I got my breakfast to get my check lines. I took my mare up to Dr. Elbert’s with the intention of plowing but the Dr. had rode one of hits horses away so I could not plow. I picked myself a plow out of the plows that Dr. Elbert had in the barn for sale and took it out in the field to try it but I could not make it scour. I left it and went and finished cutting corn stalks on my wheat, finished them by eleven o’clock AM. After dinner I took the Dr.’s oxen and my plow out in the main road to scour it. After I plowed a while I went into the field again. I tried to plow in the field again but it would not scour so I quit it. I carried water for my wife to wash tomorrow. Mrs. Spain spent a part of the morning and evening with my wife. The wind fell with the sun. All well today. IMG 67 April 25, 1850 Clear and pleasant with a high southeast wind, which blew from 8 o’clock until most sundown. I went over to Mr. A Spain’s, before I went to work, for their iron kettle. My wife wanted it to make soup in. I took my mare up to Dr. Elbert’s expecting to plow but was disappointed in get a horse. I sowed oats until noon for the Doctor. After noon I went up to Mr. Wm. Cantril’s store. I overtook Mr. Crockshanks and Co. bound for California. I got one gal. of molasses of Cantril and spilt most of it before I got home by setting it in a wagon. Mrs. Squires was married today to the Rev. . . . Coleman P.E. of this District. Mr. Cooper harrowed with the oxen. S.H. Elbert plowed. My wife washed today. Quite pleasant in the evening after the wind fell. Mr. Rankin did not keep school today on account of the wedding at Mr. Bonner’s.4 All well today EH Brown Esq. IMG 68 April 26, 1850 Clear and pleasant, some wind from the south. It was the warmest day that we have had this spring. Clouded up in the evening a little before sundown and began to lighten about dark, looked very much like raining before morning. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s and took some oats out in the field on S.H. Elbert’s plow horses. I then took Mr. World’s mare and mine and began to plow the lot between Elbert’s house and Mr. Inskip’s. World and myself plowed with them until most noon when we stopped to let the team rest. I came and sowed some oats before dinner. After dinner Mr. World plowed and I harrowed with the oxen. It was so warm that the oxen could not do much. Mr. Daniel Hitt Esq. was at my house to see me. He stayed sometime with us. My wife finished making her soup today. All well today. My children did not go to school today. Mr. Evert stayed with us over night it was bedtime when he come. I took supper with Dr. Elbert’s this evening. IMG 69 April 27, 1850 Cloudy with a northwest wind and it blew very hard, began to rain a little after daylight and rained about 30 minutes. Cleared off a little after sunrise, though it looked like it would rain soon. Mr. Evert left my house soon after breakfast. I sowed and harrowed in oats for Dr. Elbert. We finished sowing the lot between his house and Mr. Inskip’s. Began to rain before night. Mr. World plowed his mare and mine together. I found it very hard work to sow oats against the wind. I was very tired by night. LeRoy Elbert finished harrowing the oats. Mr. Wright walked up the road in the evening. Mr. S. Clarke called in at the Dr.’s in the evening and a gentleman from Maryland who wished a school to teach. He took dinner with the Dr. Mr. D. Hitt called at the Dr.’s in the evening on his way to Pittsburg. My wife was not very well today. _________________________ 4 The wedding was the marriage of Julia Ann Bonner Squires to the Rev. Andrew Coleman. Julia lost her husband and three of her four children to illness. They are buried at the back of the Bethel Cemetery on Indian Prairie. Andrew Coleman lost his wife and one son to illness. They were married by the Rev. Samuel Clarke, in the home of Chappell Bonner. “Thursday April 25, 1850 3 o’clock P.M. at Chapel H. Bonner’s by Rev Samuel Clarke, I was united in Holy Wedlock to Mrs. Julia Ann Squires widow of Sydner Squires and daughter of Chapel H. & Mary Bonner. As we have both drank deep of the bitter Cup of domestic Sorrow in the loss of our Companions and Children. May the Holy Trinity grant that the present Union may be like the return of Job’s captivity; An increased blessing to our domestic relation the Church and world.” Andrew Coleman IMG 70 April 28, 1850 Raining very hard and continued to rain until sometime in the evening. It cleared off and the sun shone out. The wind blew very hard for the northwest while the rain was falling. It fell when it stopped raining, it was a fine evening after the rain. I layed in bed until quite late in the morning. After breakfast I commenced a letter to my cousin Wm. Thomas in Cin., Ohio. After I finished that I wrote one for the American Agriculturist published in the City of New York by Mr. C.M., Saxton 121 Fulton Street. After I finished them I walked over to Mr. A. Spain’s. I Messrs. G. Osborn, S. Clarke, S.H. Elbert, and A. Spain while I was there they set down to supper. I returned home soon after they set down to the table. My wife was quite unwell today. She complained of her head and lungs. She suffered very much with a cough. She slept very little last night on account of her cough. Mr. S.H. Elbert did stop at my house as went home as he told me he would. The wind blew hard again about half an hour before sun down. IMG 71 April 29, 1850 Clear and pleasant with a west wind, but not high. The earth was very wet indeed by yesterday’s rain. S.H. Elbert came to see about 9 o’clock AM. He wanted me to help him to repair some fence between the clover field and the woods pasture. I went up with him. We did not go directly at the fence but fixed up a stable door first and several little jobs around the house. S.H. Elbert and myself went to fixing the fence by ourselves in the forenoon. It was to be a company concern with Spain, Elbert, and myself. Spain did not come until noon. In the afternoon we had two wagons with one yoke of oxen to a wagon to haul some rails back to the fence that were hauled away to make a corn pen of. John Spain, Wm. Spain, S.H. Elbert, and myself put up the fence. Got it done by sundown. All well today. My wife went to Groom’s in the evening for some molasses. IMG 72 April 30, 1850 Cloudy and very windy, wind from the northwest. The wind was very cold and blew most a gale. The wind fell with the sun as it went down. It was very cloudy in the forenoon and looked very much like raining, but it cleared off in the evening and had the appearance of being fine weather again. I went over to Mr. A. Spain’s after breakfast and helped Wm. to load up some wheat to take to mill. I returned home and went to look after my cow, as she had not been up for some days. I went down by Mr. Bonners and a far as Mr. Stubles from there home, through the fields. I got home as the mail came. I went over to the office. I got only one paper. After dinner I took my mare and old Roan Dr. Elbert’s horse and plowed for him for oats. Old Roan did not work very well on account of his head being sore with the pole evil. My son Calvin went home with Wm. Bonner and stayed all night with him, they being schoolmates. All tolerably well today. EH Brown. IMG 73 May 1st 1850 Wednesday – Clear and pleasant, though a little too cool for the first day of May. Considerable of ice on water that stood exposed to the night air. Some wind from the west. It did not blow much in the morning. About 1 o’clock PM the wind blew the hardest. Very pleasant in the evening, sunset clear. I put my mare by the side of Dr. Elbert’s Roan horse to plow. He did not do very well at first but after working awhile together they became steady. S.H. Elbert and I plowed the strip of land that lay between the drain and Colden’s wheat close by my house. We finished it by 11 o’clock AM. After dinner we commenced plowing for corn in the field that Reynold’s tended in corn last year. Found parts of it quite wet for plowing. My wife went up to Dr. Elbert’s on a visit in the evening. I stopped and to supper with them. Returned home by dark. All well today. I let my mare up at Dr. Elbert’s overnight on account of having no hay. IMG 74 May 2nd 1850 Thursday – Clear and pleasant, the wind was from the south and tolerably cool in the morning. About noon it began to cloud up and by 2 o’clock looked very much like rain. Began to rain about the middle of the evening but it only a few minutes and slow at that. Had very much the appearance of raining before morning late in the evening. I plowed for corn. S.H. Elbert plowed with me. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s at noon for some hay. I got 42 lbs. and carried it home on my back. Miss C. Spain spent the evening with my wife. Friday, May 3rd 1850 Raining and had rained considerable in the morning before daylight. Stopped raining a little after daylight and looked as if it would clear off. I went to plowing but I did not plow long before the rain drove me to the house. I took my team up to Dr. Elbert’s and stayed there until the rain was over, which was about 9 o’clock AM. It sprinkled a little in the afternoon. It cleared off a little before sundown, quite cool in the evening. IMG 75 May 4th 1850 Saturday – Quite cold in the morning with a northwest wind, which was very cold for May, and remained cool till about 10 o’clock AM. It was quite warm in the afternoon. I plowed for corn. I quit plowing about two hours by sun for the purpose of attending a meeting of the voters for the purpose of choosing candidate for school offices for the coming year. Election to be held on Monday next (May 6th) at the District School House at 1 o’clock PM. We met about 1/2 hour before sundown. Our candidates are as follows: Dr. J.D. Elbert for President, E.H. Brown for secretary, and James Hogue for treasurer. After the meeting adjourned I took Dr. Elbert’s roan horse home. I had him plowing with my mare. As I went up I stopped in Mr. Whovell’s a few minutes in company with Messrs. Wm. Spain, James Richardson and S.H. Elbert. I brought home some hay for my mare from Dr. Elbert’s. My wife went up to Cantril’s store in the evening. IMG 76 May 5th 1850 Sunday – Quite cold and high wind from the northwest. The wind commenced blowing sometime in the night and blew very hard all day. It was not so cold or quite as high in the evening as it was in the morning. I attended Sabbath School in the morning at Indian Prairie Chapel. After school I came for my wife to go up to hear the Rev. A. Wright preach at the chapel at 11 o’clock AM, but she did not go on account of the high wind. I wrote a letter to Mr. B. Boardman in Ind. Mr. S.H. Elbert called in as he was going home for Sunday School and wrote a letter to a friend of his at Delaware, Ohio. He took dinner with us. After dinner we took our letters over to the office. We set and talked a few minutes with Mr. A Spain, then I walked with S.H. Elbert to his father’s house. I was introduced to Mrs. Walker. Wife of the Rev. George W. Walker. Messrs. S. Brooks, J. Brook, and J. Spencer Senior called at Dr. Elbert’s while I was there. I returned home soon after they arrive. All well today. IMG 77 May 6th 1850 Monday – Clear and very cold, froze considerable last night. The grass was white with frost. The wind was from the northwest and very cold, also quite high. About 3 o’clock PM the wind fell some and it got some warmer at sundown. It looked some like a change of weather soon. A little after dark it began to cloud up a little. I plowed for corn until 11 o’clock AM. I quit sooner today than usual on account of going to the school election held at 1 o’clock PM at the District School House. Dr. Elbert was elected President, myself secretary, James Hogue treasurer. After the election was over, I sent S.H. Elbert in company with J. Spain and J. Mull up to Mr. Groom’s for some hay. I got 300 lbs., J. Spain 300 lbs. also. Dr. Elbert and myself went over to Mr. Jacob Smith’s Esq. to be sworn into office. As we came home we stopped at Mr. Rankin’s [Thomas Rankin] and examined him and hired him to teach a district school this summer. Mr. Brions (a United Brother) preached in our schoolhouse at candlelight. All well today. IMG 78 May 7th 1850 Tuesday – Rained from 3 o’clock AM until about noon. It rained very hard most of the time, wind from the northeast. It was tolerably cool also. The sun shone out about 12 o’clock AM and was clear all the evening. After sundown it was some cloudy and lightened and thundered some, had the appearance of raining again before morning. After breakfast sometime I went over to the Post Office and waited until the arrive. I got an Advocate and Repository.5 After I returned home sometime Dr. Elbert called for me to go over with him to Mr. John Mowen for the purpose of demanding of him what papers he had in his possession relative to the District School. From Mowen’s went to Mr. N. Warnerson’s to same business. I demanded of his . . . _________________________ 5 The Ladies' Repository was a monthly periodical based in Cincinnati and produced by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From 1841 to 1876, the magazine devoted itself to literature, arts and doctrines of Methodism, containing articles, poetry, fictions, engravings, and notes of interest to its readers. Wikipedia papers, as he was secretary last year and I am secretary this year. After dinner I cleaned my horse stable out. I did not do much else in the evening. S.H. Elbert took supper with us. I took my horses out to pasture after supper and Mr. S.H. Elbert accompanied me to the pasture. All well today. EH Brown. IMG 79 May 8th 1850 Wednesday – The sun arose clear but it was not up only a few minutes before it became quite cloudy and very much like raining. Continued cloudy until about 10 o’clock AM. Wind from the west but not very strong. Quite calm in the evening a little before sunset. I carried water in the morning for my wife to wash with. then I got Wesley Spain and his dog and caught a wild hog that I had in Dr. Elbert’s lot close to my house and altered him and put him in a pen. I went up to Mr. Elbert’s and S.H. Elbert’s worked on a machine until noon to lay off corn land with. I took dinner with them. After dinner we plowed for corn. The Rev. Mr. Dean took dinner with Elbert’s. The ground was very wet in places to plow. Mr. Evert started for Ohio in the morning. The mud dried up very fast today. It was quite muddy in the morning quite cool late in the evening. Mr. Cooper hauled wood for Dr. Elbert. All well today. E.H. Brown. IMG 80 May 9th 1850 Thursday – Clear and very cold, considerably of ice made last night, wind from the south. Early in the morning the wind not blow much. About 9 o’clock AM the wind began to blow a little, by noon it blew quite hard. The wind changed in the evening to the west by night it was most calm. The sun set cloudy, looked some like rain soon, tolerably warm in the afternoon. S.H. Elbert and I plowed for corn, Cooper plowed with the oxen in the forenoon. He tried to plow in the afternoon but the oxen were so weak that he only plowed a few rounds. He quit and went home. Friday 10th – Cloudy wind from the northwest. Had the appearance of rain in the morning. Clear off about 8 o’clock AM, quite cool in the evening. S.H. Elbert and I plowed for corn. Cooper plowed with the oxen until noon. I burnt the stubble off a piece of ground where I intend on making garden this spring. All well today. EH Brown. IMG 81 May 11th 1850 Saturday – Clear and pleasant, some frost in the morning, wind from the west. S. H. Elbert plowed for corn until noon. I plowed all day. Mrs. Brown called on Mrs. Elbert in New York, the other Chicago, Ill. I put them in the mail which went down this evening. Mrs. Brown went to a singing school held at the Chapel this evening. All well today. IMG 82 May 13th 1850 Monday – Clear and quite pleasant, some wind from the west, very warm in the forenoon but not so much so in the afternoon. I went down for my horses before breakfast (they were in Elbert’s wood pasture). As I returned I stopped at Dr. Elbert’s, to the Dr., but he was not up. He came down to my house when he got up. The Rev George Walker called in to see my wife. I plowed some in the morning for a garden. My wife made some garden in the afternoon. S.H. Elbert and myself plowed for corn in the afternoon. Mr. Rankin [Thomas Rankin] called at my house a few minutes at noon to see me. Tuesday 14th 1850 Clear but looked some like rain, soon quite warm all day. Wind from the south. There was but little wind. S.H. Elbert came down early in the morning to see me about planting corn. We furrowed off for corn that part of the field which we plowed first. My wife worked in her garden at planting her seeds. I met James Hogue at Dr. Elbert’s at candle light for the purpose of giving bonds relative to school officers. IMG 83 May 15th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and very warm, the warmest day we have had this season. A little wind from the west a part of the day. Very calm in the evening. I furrowed off for corn until noon. S.H. Elbert G Clarke, Cooper, Leroy Elbert and one of S Clarke’s small boys planted corn. I plowed for corn n the evening. S.H. Elbert furrowed off a part of forenoon with the sled. I went up to the schoolhouse at noon to see Mr. Thomas Rankin. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the evening and got a little hay. Thursday 16th 1850 Clear and very warm, quite calm until late in the evening. It blew from the west very high and continued to blow till late in the night. Quite cool in the night. S.H. Elbert and myself finished plowing for and furrowed of considerably. G Clark, Cooper, Leroy and one of Clark’s boys planted corn until noon. My wife washed today. Looked like raining soon, in the evening. IMG 84 May 17th 1850 Friday – Clear and windy, wind from the west and very high all day, quite cool in the morning, the wind was cool all day. S.H. Elbert dropped a little corn in the morning and Leroy covered it. S.H. Elbert and myself furrowed off until noon. He dropped corn in the afternoon and Jas Clarke [James Clarke?] also Mr. J. Scot [James Scott], A Clark, xxx Hull [Henry Hull], and Leroy Elbert covered in the afternoon. I furrowed off. I shelled a bushel of corn for seed at noon and took it out with me. Saturday 18th 1850 Clear and pleasant, the wind was from the west and quite cool in the morning. S.H. Elbert and myself furrowed off until about 11 o’clock AM. We finished planting about an hour by sun. Messrs. Cooper Willey, Scott, and Aaron Hull and Leroy Elbert marked all day. S.H. Elbert and myself helped to plant in the afternoon. My wife went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the evening to see Mrs. Walker. I went from the cornfield to Elbert’s and took supper. Mrs. Lewis Shelly, Gray and Mrs. Spain were at Dr. Elbert’s for supper. All well today. IMG 85 May 19th 1850 Sunday – Clear and windy in the forenoon, wind from the northwest, cloudy and calm in the evening, looked very much like raining soon. I went to Sabbath school in the morning. The Rev. G. W. Walker preached at the Chapel at 11 o’clock AM. The house was crowded. My wife walked up. Quite warm in the evening. I walked up to Dr. Elbert’s in the evening and stayed until dark. It began to rain while I was there. Monday 20th 1850 Raining and quite cool, wind from the northeast. It rained most of the forenoon. It was cloudy all day, but it did not rain after 12 o’clock AM. I remained at home until dinner, after dinner I hauled a load of wood for myself. I stopped at the District School as I went for wood. I hauled it with Dr. Elbert’s oxen and wagon. Mr. Scott killed one of my pigs in the evening for a part of it. I called on John Spain in the evening late. My cow came up in the evening. IMG 86 May 21st 1850 Tuesday – Clear and quite cool for this time of season. Wind from the northeast and very cool in the morning. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s before breakfast for his roan horse to plow by the side of my mare. I plowed a piece of ground for a truck patch in the corner of S.H. Elbert’s and my corn field, finished it a little before sunset. I received my papers from Washington for the Post Office at Mechanicsburg, Iowa Wednesday 22nd 1850 Clear and pleasant (wind from the south) in the morning. It would have been very warm if the wind had not have been cool. Clouded up in the evening and began to rain before night, rained considerably in the forepart of the night. I helped S.H. Elbert to tramp out oats for seed. Mrs. Elbert and Mrs. Walker called on my wife in the evening, but did not stay for supper. I was not very well today. My wife was not well today. I took dinner and supper at Dr. Elbert’s. IMG 87 May 23rd 1850 Thursday – Cloudy, looked very much like rain early in the morning, but did not rain until about 12 o’clock AM, it about an hour slow the looked like it would clear off. I soon clouded up again and rained harder then it has this season before. Cleared off about 2 o’clock PM, but was very warm. Looked some like raining again soon. Wind from the southwest and it blew very hard time of the rain, quite pleasant in the evening. Miss Samantha Spain took supper with us. I got John Spain’s horses in the morning and harrowed my garden. I finished it just as it began to rain. After the rain I got Messrs. W.S. Groom, James Hogue and John Clarke to go to Jacob Smith’s Esq. for the purpose of going my surity for Post Master at Mechanicsburg. John Clarke was a witness only. I asked Mr. Bonner for one of my suritys but he refused. All well today. E.H. Brown IMG 88 May 24th 1850 Friday – Cloudy and looked very much like raining in the morning; wind from the southwest and blew quite hard in the morning and it blew hard all day. Cleared off about 9 o’clock AM. Wind in the evening was from the southeast. I went down to mark off my garden spot for corn after breakfast but found the ground was too wet. I shelled some corn for bread in the morning. I wrote a letter to Mr. Fitz Henry Warren, Second Assistant Post Master General in the evening. Mrs. Brown went down to her garden after dinner; while she was gone Miss Mary Powell and Miss Samantha Spain called in to see her. When she returned home she went over to Mr. Spain’s a few minutes. Mr. S.H. Elbert called in a few minutes in the evening. From my house he went to Mr. A Spain’s. The roads dried very fast today. They were quite muddy in the morning. They were most dry by night. All well today. EH Brown. IMG 89 May 25th 1850 Saturday – Raining in the morning early and continued to rain more or less all the forenoon, wind from the southeast and blew very hard all day. Late in the evening it clouded up and looked very much like raining again. I went over to Mr. A Spain’s and took an inventory of the property belonging to the Post Office in the morning and took the charge of the office. After the mail came, I brought the desk over to my house. After dinner I sowed some oats for Dr. Elbert, found it a hard job on account of the wind. I went up to Mr. Grooms for some molasses. I found Mr. Groom very sick. Mr. A Spain and Wm. Cantril went to Groom’s when I went up. Several persons called in for letters and papers. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. My son Calvin was quite sick in the morning, he was better in the evening. IMG 90 May 26th 1850 Sunday – Cloudy and very windy, wind from the southeast. About 1 o’clock PM it began to rain and rained about an hour. It was sometimes clear and sometimes cloudy. Wind blew very hard all day. I did some writing in the morning for the office and wrote a letter for the American Agriculturist. Mr. Spain and others called in through the day. The mail came down about 3 o’clock PM. Mrs. Brown went over to Mr. Spain’s in the evening. When she returned home Mrs. Spain and Wm. and his wife came over with her and set a few minutes with us. Walked down to my garden in the evening and just got back as it began to rain. It rained a few minutes and cleared off. The sun shone out quite pleasant but it clouded up again by dark, Calvin was very sick all night. Mrs. Brown was not very well herself. I remained at home all day. The mail came down about 3 o’clock PM. IMG 91 May 27th 1850 Monday – Raining and continued to rain until 9 o’clock AM. It seemed to be cleared off entirely but by noon I saw it would rain soon again. Wind in the morning was from the southeast and it blew quite hard until late in the evening, when it changed to the northwest and blew up one of hardest rains that I ever saw in my life. The most water fell in less time I every witnessed. It hailed about half an hour quite hard, some hailstones fell as large as walnuts, the wind blew very hard time of the rain. The sun shone up after the rain but it did not clear off. It was very warm during the day before the storm, quiet after the rain. I marked off some of my truck patch and planted a part of it in corn, beans, and pumpkins. I went up to Mr. Groom’s first thing in the morning, from there to Mr. N. Warner’s to try to buy some wheat for bread for myself. My family was not well today. Dr. Elbert wanted me to work for him but I could not do so. IMG 92 May 28th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy in the morning until 9 o’clock. It cleared off and was quite pleasant the rest of the day, wind from the northwest and it blew tolerably hard all day, looked some like raining again soon, about 2 o’clock PM. I stayed at home until after dinner on account of the mail. After dinner I went to plant my garden lot but found it too wet. I then went and helped John Spain and old man Mull to fix up some fence around the pasture that we have our horses in, finished it before night. In the evening, found that my fresh meat had spoiled. I had to throw it away. Miss Samantha Spain called over in the evening. I got a letter from my sister in law in Ohio in this day’s mail. I carried water in the morning for Mrs. Brown to wash. Dr. Elbert called in the morning and paid me some postage. My family was not well today. Mail came up about 9 o’clock AM. IMG 93 May 29th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and quite cool in the morning. I moved my cook stove out into the old kitchen. I borrowed two joints of pipe of Mr. A. Spain to make my pipe long enough to reach out of the roof. Wind from the northwest and blew hard all day. After the mail went down, I went to my garden and planted some corn and pumpkins. I sold my harness to John Spain in the evening. I went from John’s to Mr. Osborn’s and bought some wheat of him. My wife took supper with Mrs. Spain. Thursday 30th 1850 Clear and quite cool in the morning. Calm in the morning about 10 o’clock AM, the wind blew from the northwest in the evening, it blew tolerably hard. I finished planting my garden lot in the evening about 4 o’clock. It was quite warm in the afternoon. I returned Mr. A Spain’s chain and hoe. All well today. IMG 94 May 31st 1850 Friday - Clear and quite cool in the morning, some wind from the north. I worked on the road today. We began to work between Mr. Clarke and Mr. Hogue and worked up as far as Dr. Elbert’s. I worked with an axe. I came home for dinner. Calm in the evening and quite warm. I got home before sundown. E.H. Brown June 1st 1850 Saturday – Clear and pleasant quite calm in the morning very warm through the day. I worked on the road today. The mail came up about 10 o’clock AM. I began to work before any other man came on the road, on account of the email. I acted as Road Master in the evening. Mr. Humphry being unwell (our supervisor). We quit work about two hours by sun. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the evening to set up with him (he being very sick). Mr. F. Warner came and took my place. I came home and borrowed some flour of Groom and brought it with me. All well today. IMG95 June 2nd 1850 Sunday – Clear and cool in the morning, wind from the southeast and blew tolerably hard most of the day. About 1 o’clock PM a few drops of rain fell, had the appearance of raining in a day or so. I went up to Sabbath School and came home before preaching. Mr. Wright preached. The mail came down quite late today. Mrs. Brown called over to Mr. A. Spain’s in the evening. Mr. Wm. Spain called in the evening. Cloudy most of the evening. All well today. I went up to Mr. Groom’s to set up with him. I did not set up all the time. Monday 3rd 1850 Clear and pleasant in the morning, about 10 o’clock AM it clouded up and by 3 o’clock in the evening it rained some, it rained some about noon, cloudy all the afternoon, wind from the south and blew very hard in the evening. I replanted corn in the afternoon for myself. Dr. Elbert and I had some talk in the morning about him talking about me to others. All well. IMG 96 June 4th 1850 Tuesday - Cloudy and cool in the morning, wind from the south and blew very hard all day until about 5 o’clock PM, when it became quite calm and was very warm. Cloudy and thundered off the west in the afternoon and looked some like raining here. Sun set clear. I waited until the mail came up, which was about half past 9 o’clock AM, then I went to replanting corn and replanted all day. Mrs. Spain took supper with Mrs. Brown. All well today. June 5th 1850 Wednesday. A little cloudy and tolerable warm and very calm in the morning. Mr. Mowen invited Mrs. Brown and myself to take supper with them tomorrow evening. His daughter is to be married then. In the afternoon the wind blew hard from the south. A heavy rained around west, it rained some here but not enough to do any good. I finished planting my corn and went up to Pull Tail in the forenoon about 2 o’clock. I got back from Pull Tail. I drove my cow up and put her in Dr. Elbert’s woods pasture in the evening. She will calve soon. IMG 97 June 6th 1850 Thursday. Cloudy in the morning early clear by 9 o’clock and remained so till about 1 o’clock, when it began to cloud up. By 3 o’clock it was raining a little and continued to rain all evening but it did not rain enough to do any good. Very warm in the evening a little breeze from the southeast, which was very pleasant. I took my axe over to Spain’s in the morning, to grind for the purpose of making some rails for Mr. N. Warner. S.H. Elbert came to see me about our work and kept me so late that I did go to work. I went up to see [Wxxx] after he went away. Myself and family walked over to Mr. Mowen’s in the evening to see Miss Sarah and Mr. Hoskin married. They were married by the Rev. A. Wright of Pittsburg. There were between 60 and 70 took supper, we had a splendid supper indeed. We enjoyed ourselves quite well. We all got home by sun down or dark. Some of company stayed over night with Mr. Mowne IMG 98 June 7th 1850 Friday - Very cloudy and calm quite, warm a little breeze from the south, began to rain about 7 o’clock AM and rained hard until about 10 o’clock PM, when it cleared off and was quite peasant. I remained at home until afternoon. I went out to see my cow in the evening. She was in Dr. Elbert’s pasture. I look for her to calve soon. I returned home by John Spain’s. I took supper with John Spain. Mrs. Brown and myself went up to Mr. Mull’s late in the evening for some cabbage plants. We got some and we went to the garden and set them out. Mr. Wm. Spain called in after we returned home. Dr. Elbert sent for me to come and settle with him, but I did not go for I was not ready to settle with him. The party did not leave Mr. Mowen’s until 2 o’clock PM. They started while it was yet raining. They went up the road, when Groom came he come by Dr. Elbert’s. Lighten some in the north and west late in the evening. I thought it would rain before morning again. IMG 99 June 8th 1850 Saturday - Clear but foggy in the morning. After the fog vanished it was very pleasant, strong wind from the northwest. The mail came up about 10 o’clock AM, it was quite light today. I got a letter from Chicago, Ill from Mr. McComick. After dinner Mrs. Brown went down to the garden and worked awhile. After she returned, I went and replanted my truck patch with corn. The birds took a good deal of the first planting. I watered my cabbage plants also. June 9th 1850 Sunday - Clear and quite cool for June, wind from the northwest and blew very hard till late in the evening. It was quite cool all day. I wrote a letter to Mr. Raymond Indiana and one to the Post Office Department. Mrs. Brown went out to see our cow, that is in Dr. Elbert’s pasture in the forenoon. I was at home all day. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. The rest of us are well. IMG 100 June 10th 1850 Monday - Clear and quite cool early in the morning. About 9 o’clock AM it began to get warm, by noon it was very warm, in the afternoon a little breeze blew from the northwest. I got my mare up before breakfast to harrow corn with. S.H. Elbert put one against her. We harrowed about 8 acres. I sold one pair of my harness in the morning to Mr. Worle. After supper I went up to Nicholas Warner’s and bought a hundred cwt. of flour of him. I fetched 40 lbs. home June 11th 1850 Tuesday - Clear and quite cool in the but very warm through the day, wind from the south but it was not strong. The mail came up in the morning. I got a letter from Messrs. Melick Wheeler and Co. S.H. Elbert and myself harrowed corn. Mrs. Inskip got a letter from Mr. Inskip. He wrote from Kane, Iowa. I was very tired when I got home from work. Mrs. Brown called over to Mr. A Spain’s late in the evening. IMG 101 June 12th 1850 Wednesday - Clear and quite cool in the morning, warm through the day, some wind from the south. S.H. Elbert and I harrowed corn. S.H. Elbert had a chase after a deer that came into the field about 11 o’clock AM, but it was too fast for him. Mr. A Spain called over a few minutes late in the evening. Miss Samantha Spain [age 15] and Mrs. H. Spain called over in the evening to see Mrs. Brown. June 13th 1850 Clear in the forenoon and very warm, no wind at all in the afternoon, it was cloudy and cool. It began to cloud up about 1 o’clock PM and was cloudy all evening, wind from the south and blew hard some of the time. S.H. Elbert and I harrowed corn. Mr. A. Spain started soon after breakfast to the three River Country. S.H. Elbert was at my house very early in the morning. Mrs. Brown out in the pasture in the evening to look after her cow. IMG 102 June 14th 1850 Friday - Clear and pleasant in the morning, about 2 o’clock PM it began to cloud up, by 4 o’clock it looked very much like raining a shower, but it passed around to the south, the wind blew from the south. The wind was quite cool while the clouds were hanging over us, sunset clear. S.H. Elbert and I finished harrowing our corn by half passed 10 o’clock AM. After dinner I went up to Mr. Mowen’s and helped him to raise his house (it was a frame) we got it up by 4 o’clock PM. I went to my garden and hoed until night. I went over to Mrs. Spain’s after I came home and helped John Spain doctor his father’s sorrel mare. She seems to be taken the distemper. I drove my cow home in the morning, with a young calf. She was bad to milk the first time after she had her calf. Most of the neighbors were at Mr. Mowen’s raising. We had a first rate supper after we finished raising the house. All well today. IMG 103 June 15th 1850 Saturday - Clear and warm, some wind from the south. I went up to Cantril’s store in the morning. I rode in Dr. Elbert’s buggy with him, as he was going to Ray’s. After the mail came, I went out to my garden and hoed until noon. After noon, I took my mare with me to plow my truck patch, but could not get a plow. I hoed a while and returned home. Mrs. Brown went out in the evening and worked in the garden. I wrote a letter to [Moeses?] B. Corwin, Congressman from [xxxxx], Ohio. S.H. Elbert borrowed my mowing scythe. June 16th 1850 Sunday - Cloudy and calm in the morning, looked very much like rain. About 10 o’clock it cleared off and was very warm, some wind from the south. I went up to Sabbath School and stayed for preaching. Mr. Dean preached. Mrs. Brown walked over to Mrs. Spain’s in the evening. All well today. IMG 104 June 17th 1850 Monday - Some cloudy early in the morning, had the appearance of raining soon, calm in the and very warm. In the evening it was a little cooler with a strong south wind. It cleared off soon after the sun arose. I got a shovel plow of Mr. Worel, to plow my truck patch. I finished it about ľ of an hour by sun. It was the first time that my mare worked by herself. She worked fine indeed. EH Brown. June 18th 1850 Tuesday - The sun rose under a cloud, had the appearance of rain early in the morning, quite calm at sunrise. About 10 o’clock AM the wind began to blow from the south and blew quite hard all day. S.H. Elbert took my mare and went to mill in the wagon. I helped him to clean some wheat in the morning. I stayed at home in the evening. Mrs. Brown went on a visit to one of our neighbors. I called at Mr. Spain’s a few minutes in the evening. It looked like raining in the night about sunset. IMG 105 June 19th 1850 Wednesday - Cloudy and warm, quite calm in the morning. About 10 o’clock it began to rain, it rained quite until 1 o’clock PM. It cleared off about 2 o’clock PM. I set out some cabbage for myself and some tomato plants also. After the rain in the morning I took old roan and Leroy Elbert and plowed in his truck patch till it began to rain. I used my new double shovel plow, it done fine indeed. It rained a few minutes in the morning about 7 o’clock. June 20th 1850 Thursday - Cloudy began to rain soon after sun up. Wind from the south east ,not very strong. It did not rain much in the morning. It was cloudy most of the forenoon, the sun shone out about 11 o’clock AM and was very warm until 3 o’clock, when it began to cloud up. Commenced raining about 5 o’clock and rained fast for an hour and a half, sunset clear. I finished plowing Dr. Elbert’s truck patch in the morning. S.H. Elbert and myself then went plowing our corn. IMG 106 June 21st 1850 Friday - The sun arose under a cloud, some little wind from the south, warm and pleasant. Thundered some after I went to work, it had the appearance of raining soon. About 2 o’clock PM it was very warm indeed and continued till night. S.H. Elbert and myself plowed corn Mr. Orren Chaffee came to the office and set sometime with Mrs. Brown in the evening. June 22nd 1850 Saturday - Clear and the warmest day that we have had this season. Late in the evening, some wind from the northwest, which made it a little more pleasant than it was in the morning. Cooper and I finished plowing the piece of corn planted last. I went over to Mr. Mowen’s in the evening late and helped him to move his frame up to his chimney. Several of the neighbors were present also. I came up from the field and changed the mail in the morning. Mrs. Brown was not well today. I hoed some in my garden in the evening. IMG 107 June 23rd 1850 Sunday - Clear and very warm, quite calm, cloudy about sunset, looked some like raining soon. S.H. Elbert stopped as he went up to Sunday school and I went with him after school. We appointed officers to act on the fourth of July. I was elected Vice President. S.H. Elbert called in the evening late. Mr. Hogue came by my house and wrote a letter to Rock Creek, Iowa June 24th 1850 Monday - Clear and warm, some hazy, looked like raining. I hoed in my garden in the forenoon and plowed some corn in the evening. I could not find my plow in the morning. John Spain took it through mistake for S.H. Elbert’s. S.H. Elbert lent his plow to him to plow his corn, or plow with until he should want it. I went up to Mr. Warner’s in the evening and got 74 lbs. of flour Miss C. Spain spent the evening with Mrs. Brown, but did not take supper. IMG 108 June 25th 1850 Tuesday - Clear and pleasant at sunrise, some wind from the south. It was cool in the morning early, very warm in the evening late. I plowed corn, S.H. Elbert also. I had some business up at Dr. Elbert’s at noon, while I was there I helped S.H. Elbert hive a swarm of bees. I hoed some in my garden in the evening. Jun 26th 1850 Wednesday - Clear and pleasant in the morning, quite warm, a little from the south. About 11 o’clock it to cloud up and thunder, by 12 o’clock it began to rain, it rained about an hour hard, then cleared off. It was very warm in the evening after the rain. S.H. Elbert and I finished plowing our corn about an hour and half by sun. The mail did not get along until most night. I hoed some cabbage for myself in the evening while my horse was resting. S.H. Elbert broke his plow before we got done, we then took turns with mine. Some cloudy in the evening about sunset. IMG 109 June 27th 1850 Thursday - Cloudy all day, a smart wind from the northwest in the morning, it did not blow much in the evening, a little cooler than it has been for some days back. A heavy mist fell in the morning early, some foggy. I stayed at home in the morning and partly made out my official returns. Mrs. Brown went down to the garden and weeded some corn. I hoed my vines in the evening also some corn. June 28th 1850 Friday - Clear and pleasant, quite warm, some wind from the south. In the evening it looked like raining soon. S.H. Elbert and I went to thinning our corn in the morning. About 10 o’clock AM S.H. Elbert quit; he was sick. I worked until noon. After dinner I worked until time for me to meet, at the chapel, with others, for the purpose of making arrangements for the 4th of July next. I returned home by dark. S.H. Elbert was sec. of the meeting. All well today. IMG 110 June 29th 1850 Saturday - Cloudy and thundering in the morning early. Soon after sunrise it began to rain and rained until about 9 o’clock AM. It cleared off and was very warm. About sunset it began to cloud up again and thundered and lightened considerably. I made out my official returns. S.H. Elbert’s helped me in the evening, the first that I made out was wrong. I received a letter from my brother John in Ohio. EH Brown June 30th 1850 Sunday - Commenced raining sometime in the night and rained hard until noon. It stopped raining, but did not clear off. The rain came from the southeast, quite cool in the morning, warm in the evening. I wrote a letter to my brother John in Ohio and one to my wife’s mother. I went over to Mr. Spain’s a few minutes in the evening. Mrs. Brown went out to the garden in the evening. She went over to Mr. Spain’s also. IMG 111 July 1st 1850 Monday - Raining and looked as if it would rain all day, wind from the southwest. About two hours after sun up it stopped raining and by 9 o’clock AM it was clear. About 11 o’clock AM while the sun shone it rained quite a shower. It rained some about dark again. I thinned corn in the forenoon. Afternoon I plowed my truck patch. After supper I went up to Cantril’s store. July 2nd 1850 Tuesday. Clear and cool early in the morning, quite calm in the morning. The sun rose clear but about 9 o’clock AM it became quite warm and hazy. The wind began to blow from the northwest about this time also. The wind did not blow as strong in the evening as it did in the morning. Quite warm in the evening. I did not go to work until the mail came, then I went to plowing my corn. S.H. Elbert plowed in the evening also. I wrote a letter in the morning to Wheeler, Melick, and Co. New York. IMG 112 July 3rd 1850 Wednesday - Clear and pleasant, a breeze from the south in the evening, the wind blew quite hard. S.H. Elbert and I plowed corn in the evening. LeRoy Elbert plowed in Samuel’s stead. I did not go out to work after dinner until the mail came down, which was earlier than usual for it. After sundown it clouded up, thundered and lightened considerably, looked very much like raining before morning. July 4th 1850 Thursday - Some signs of rain in the morning, early; wind from the south. The sun shone out clear about 8 o’clock AM and was very warm in the afternoon, it was so warm that it most impossible to bear it. If it had calm it would have been suffocating indeed. As this day was the 4 of July every person was on the move to get ready to go to the celebration at Indian Prairie Chapel. The Sabbath schools on Pittsburg Circuit held a Sunday school celebration at the above named chapel. About 9 o’clock AM the people began to gather. (continued) IMG 113 July 4th 1850 Some walking, on horseback but most of the people came in wagons and carriages. A procession was formed at the chapel and marched up to the Methodist E. Campground by Messrs. Wilson and Cantril Marshals. First in order was singing by the schools and prayers by Rev. Wm. Brooks, Chaplin, second. Declamation by S.H. Elbert reader. Next oration by Mr. George Clarke, Harrison, Coleman, and Rev. A. Wright, orators. Next dinner, which was prepared by the people gratis. It was on tables well set and supplied with meats, pies, rusk, sweet cakes and pound cakes. After eating to the people’s satisfaction there was a great deal of provision left. It was taken away by person living close by. After dinner the people were called to the stand and dismissed by singing, prayers, and the benediction by the chaplin. Every person returned home quietly and orderly, well pleased with their entertainment. My family and self were present. Returned home in the evening well. IMG 114 July 5th 1850 Friday - Blew and very warm, no air stirring whatever. In the afternoon it was so warm that we could not work the horses half of the time. S.H. Elbert plowed corn. We did not get out in the field until quite late in the morning. The mail came up early in the morning. I was at home when it came. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all day. She took medicine in the evening. The mail was quite lite today. July 6th 1850 Saturday - Clear and very warm in the forenoon, S.H. Elbert and I plowed corn. About 1 o’clock PM it began to cloud up and thunder and lighten, the rain came from the south. It was sometime coming up. Begun to rain about 3 o’clock PM and rained until night, hard. Thundered and lightened considerably all evening. I sent my mare up to Dr. Elbert’s pasture in the evening by my son Calvin. We did not plow any after dinner. In the forenoon we would plow awhile then thin up as far as was plowed. The mail came down about 1 o’clock PM. IMG 115 July 7th 1850 Sunday – Clear and cool, wind from the southeast. About 12 o’clock AM it began to get quite warm. The afternoon was very warm. The wind did not blow much in the afternoon. Mrs. Brown went down to the garden in the morning. She went over to Mrs. Spain’s in the evening awhile. I remained at home all day. After sun down I went down to John Spain’s a few minutes. Several persons called at the office today. July 8th 1850 Monday. Clear and very warm. Some wind from the south. S.H. Elbert and I plowed corn. S.H. Elbert did not come work until about 10 o’clock AM. He was quite late getting to work in the evening. We finished plowing and thinning the piece that was planted last. Our corn is very good, it is cleaner than most of the corn in the neighborhood. It has grown very fast since the first rain in June. I think if no disaster befalls it, it will from 60 to 75 Bu. per acre. We have about 40 acres. Some of my neighbors began to cut their grass. IMG 116 June 9th 1850 Tuesday - Clear and warm in the morning, quite calm also. About 11 o’clock AM it began to cloud up and by 12 o’clock it began to rain and rained hard for an hour or more. It remained cloudy all evening. I tried to grind my scythe on Mr. Spain’s grindstone but could not grind to suit me. I went out to my wheat after the mail came and tried to cradle some but my scythe was so dull I had to quit and grind it. After dinner John Spain and I went up to Mr. Chafee’s and ground our scythes. I got my supper early and went to work at my grain again. I worked until night. I got a letter from my brother in law in Ohio, Mr. Thomas D. Howe. I borrowed Mr. Mull’s cradle in the morning. I wrote a part of a letter in answer to Mr. Howe’s letter. It was very warm in the forenoon, much cooler after the rain. The mail was lite today. I cut my wheat down and bound it up myself when I cut it all down. All well. IMG 117 July 10th 1850 Wednesday - Cloudy in the morning, wind from the west but not very strong. It cleared off about 9 o’clock AM and was warm, but not as warm as it was before the rain yesterday. I cut wheat in the morning. In the evening Mr. Smart cut for me. I raked and bound. A rain passed round to the south in the evening late, which appeared for sometime like it would rain here. All well today. July 11th 1850 Thursday - Cloudy in the morning until 8 o’clock AM. It was not very the wind was cool and from the northwest. I worked at my wheat; Mr. Zouck helped me to bind. LeRoy Elbert gathered sheaves together and raked some in the evening. About 5 o’clock PM it began to rain and rained until night. I did not cut any wheat but bound up what was cut yesterday. We did not get all up what was down. I got quite wet coming home. The rain came from the northwest. IMG 118 July 12th 1850 Friday - Cloudy, wind from the south. Quite warm in the morning, early, too wet for me to work at my grain early, so I thought it best for me to wait till the mail should come up. About 12 o’clock the sun shone out and was quite warm. About 2 o’clock PM it looked like raining before night, but it passed around without raining. After the mail came, I went out to my wheat field and stacked up some wheat that I bound yesterday. Messrs. Zouck and Smart helped me in the afternoon. July 13th 1850 Saturday - Quite foggy early in the morning. It was very warm in the forenoon, no air steaming whatever. About 4 o’clock PM it got a little cooler, the wind blew from the northwest. I set in a pair of bars to get out into the road. In the evening I hoed some in my garden. Sowed some turnip seed. I went down to my wheat field to shock up some wheat. I called over to Mr. Mowen’s a few minutes in the morning. I finished my wheat this day. IMG 119 July 14th 1850 Monday - Clear and pleasant with cool breeze from the northwest. I wrote a letter to my brother in Minnesota Territory. The wind was very pleasant all day. Mr. Dean preached at our Chapel. I remained at home all day. Mrs. Brown called in at Mrs. Spain’s a few minutes in the evening. All well to day. I wrote two letters in the evening. One to the Eds. of the school friend, one to the Ed. of the Ladies’ Repository both too Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Spain went to see Mrs. Inskip in the evening late. July 15th 1850 Monday - Clear and warm in the afternoon it looked some like rain, it thundered some at a distance, a little wind from the south. It was very warm in the evening late. I began to plow my part of the first piece of corn that we planted. S.H. Elbert having plowed his part, Mr. Mull broke the team out of my shovel plow. I had waited sometime in the morning for it. The put a team in himself. IMG 120 July 16th 1850 Tuesday - Cloudy and rained a little in the morning. It cleared off about 7 o’clock AM and was quite warm until about 4 o’clock PM, when it clouded up and the wind blew hard and cool from the south. It thundered, lightened, and showed signs of a heavy rain, but it did not rain much at all. The sun shone out just as it went down. I plowed corn and hoed some in my garden. In the afternoon while my horse was resting, I went and mowed some for John Spain to try his scythe. July 17th 1850 Wednesday – Clear, cool, and very pleasant all day. Wind from the northwest and blew considerable all day. I plowed in my corn and hoed in my garden some. I went up to Mr. Osborn’s for some flour. I got 23 lbs. Mrs. Spain called in a few minutes in the evening. I went over to Mr. Mowen’s in the evening to see Mr. Wilson. We talked until quite late. Every person had gone to bed sometime before we got through. All well. IMG 121 July 18th 1850 Thursday. Clear and cool in the morning, about noon it began to get warm, quite in the evening, some wind from the south. I plowed in my corn and hoed in my garden. I went up to the schoolhouse in the evening to Mr. [Dean, Burns?] preach. He preached by candlelight. The house was full. July 19th 1850 Friday. Clear and cool in the morning, wind from the southeast. The wind did not blow very strong, but it was very pleasant. I waited until the mail came in. I then went out to my cornfield, finished my corn and brought up my shovel plow. John . . . Spencer called in the morning to buy my mare. He offered my 50 dollar for her. I went up to vin [age 8] went with me. Mr. Mull called for his grain cradle in the evening. I borrowed it to cut my wheat. I did not do anything in the afternoon but go up to Cantril’s store. IMG 122 July 20th 1850 Saturday - Cloudy most of the forenoon, it looked as if it would rain more. It rained very hard in the night, it thundered and lightened tremendous. The wind blew very hard from the northwest, in the night, but it changed to the south before morning and blew cool all day. I sold my mare to John Spencer in the morning and went into Cantril’s with him. I lifted the bill of sale that Mr. Powell held against me. I wrote a letter to Mr. Howell, editor of the Village Whig and Register. Mr. A. Wright called on me for what I owed him. I could not pay him. Mrs. Brown payed Mr. Rankin a visit. I wrote a letter to Eds. of the Prairie Farmer. It clouded up in the evening a little before sun down and looked raining before morning. July 21st 1850 Sunday. Clear and warm quite, calm in the morning. Some wind from the northwest, which was very pleasant. Dean preached on the Campground to a large congregation. I went to hear him he the president’s funeral sermon.6 IMG 123 July 22nd 1850 Monday - Clear and very warm a little breeze from the southeast. It looked some like rain in the morning. The sun shone all day but it was hazy and the air was heavy in the morning. I went down to Keosauqua in the morning with Mr. Mowen in his buggy. I did not return home until night. I took dinner with Mr. Shepard. There was a circus in Keosauqua today and of course a great many people were in town on this occasion. After the first performance, Mr. D. Smith the loco [local] independent candidate for senator for Van Buren Co Iowa addressed a large concourse of people. After, Dr. Speese the Whig candidate for representative for Van Buren made a few remarks relative to some false reports about him. After Mr. Hull the loco [local] . . . _________________________ 6 President Zachary Taylor died on July 9, 1850 after a brief illness. The exact cause of his death is still disputed by some historians. On a scorching Fourth of July in Washington, D.C., Taylor attended festivities at the newly dedicated grounds upon which the Washington Monument would be erected. According to several sources, Taylor gulped down a large quantity of cherries and iced milk and then returned to the White House, where he quenched his thirst with several glasses of water. Outbreaks of cholera, a deadly disease caused by bacteria, occurred frequently during the summer months in hot, humid Washington during the 1800s, when sewage systems were primitive at best. The bacteria were mostly likely present in the water or iced milk Taylor drank, though other sources have claimed that Taylor died of gastroenteritis caused by the highly acidic cherries combined with fresh milk. Others suspected food poisoning or typhoid fever. It appears no one suggested foul play even though Taylor, a Mexican War hero, adamantly opposed slavery and vowed to personally lead a military attack against any state that threatened to secede from the Union. His vice president, Millard Fillmore, was sworn in as the new president the next day. This Day in History, July 9 website. candidate of Van Buren Co., Iowa for Senator. I did not stay to have him through. The circus was to open again at candlelight. I walked apart of the way home. I rode a part of the way in Mr. owen’s buggy. I was very much fatigued when I got home. I went into the circus. IMG 124 July 23rd 1850 Tuesday - Clear and quite pleasant in the morning, it was very calm in the morning early. I went down to my garden before breakfast to get some cucumbers for breakfast. I did not get any on account of them being too small. I went to several of my neighbors to borrow a grain cradle. Dr. Elbert wanted me to cut his oats. I got John Spain about 5 o’clock. I cut some oats in the evening. I went over to where John Spain was cutting wheat for himself and waited until he finished his wheat. All well today. July 24th 1850 Wednesday - Clear and very warm, some wind from the south in the forepart of the day. I bundled oats all day for Dr. Elbert. I went up to Mr. Warner’s in the evening for some flour. I got 37 lbs. Mr. Vinson came to see relative to some postage on his papers. George Clarke [age 23 son of Samuel Clarke] worked with me at the oats. I ground my scythe at noon on Mr. Melley’s grindstone at Mr. Mowen’s. George Clarke turned for me. IMG 125 July 25th 1850 Thursday - Clear and the warmest day that we have had this season. If it had have been calm, we could not have worked. A little breeze blew from the south, which cooled the air a little. I loaded oats for Dr. Elbert by myself. Mrs. Spain took dinner with us. All well. Mrs. Brown washed some in the evening. I took John Spain’s cradle home in the evening after I finished my work. I was using it myself. July 26th 1850 Friday - Clear and very warm in the forenoon. In the evening there was considerable of wind from the south, which cooled the air very much. I did not do anything in the forenoon but carry water for Mrs. Brown to wash with. I raked and bound oats in the afternoon for Dr. Elbert. I did not bind much until the dew began to fall; which dampened the straw. The straw was too dry to bind in the heat of the day. I bound as long as I could see to work. Mrs. Brown went for blackberries in the evening and to the garden also. IMG 126 July 27th 1850 Saturday - Cloudy in the morning and looked like raining before noon, but it cleared off and was very warm until late in the evening, when it clouded up and appeared very much like raining before morning. The wind blew considerably in the evening from the south. I bound oats for Dr. Elbert. S.H. Elbert worked with me in the forenoon. Mrs. Brown went for blackberries after supper. I did not feel very well today. EH Brown July 28th 1850 Sunday - Cloudy in the morning until about 8 o’clock AM. It then cleared off and was very warm until late n the evening, when it clouded up again and began to rain a little after dark. It rained considerably, but not half as much as we needed. The earth is very dry and warm. Corn is needing rain badly, also vines of all kinds. I remained at home until late in the evening when I walked down to my corn and to Elbert’s woods pasture in search of blackberries. I found but a few. Mrs. Brown went down to the garden in the morning for some cucumbers and onions. IMG 127 July 29th 1850 Monday - Clear and quite cool for the time of year. Wind from the northwest in the morning. In the evening the wind blew from the west. I went with Mrs. Brown down to the garden for cucumbers and blackberries also. After we returned home I went to see John Spain. He was not at home. As I returned, I came along in the woods and picked some blackberries. I called in at Mr. Willey’s a few minutes, as I came home. Mrs. Wright called to see me in the morning. I did not see him. I bound oats for Dr. Elbert in the afternoon. All well. July 30th 1850 Tuesday - Clear in the morning calm and pleasant. Showed some signs of rain before noon. Before sunset it began to cloud up, thunder, and lighten. Began to rain a little after dark, the [wind] was from the northwest and blew very hard. It rained hard sometime. I went down to see Mr. Bonner in the morning about hauling in my wheat that is on his farm. I went to see Mr. Mull in the evening about getting my wheat out. I bound some oats in the evening for Dr. Elbert. IMG 128 July 31st 1850 Wednesday - Raining and then blew very hard until 10 o’clock AM. Clear by 12 o’clock and was very warm. About 4 o’clock PM it began to cloud up and began to rain sometime before sun down. It was not raining at bedtime. I think it did not rain any in the night, after I went to bed. I went up to John Spain’s after breakfast and stayed there until 10 o’clock AM. He and I started up to Cantril’s store on horseback. I was on one of his horses. We got as far as my house, where we met George Clarke, John Spain turned back and went home. He and George cut some oats for Mrs. Spain that were on Dr. Elbert’s farm. I went on to Cantril’s store for some flour but I did not find any at the store. I returned home with any. After dinner I went down to my garden and picked some cucumbers and brought them. Then I went for blackberries. My son Calvin went with me. We got about a gallon and got wet too before we got home. It rained. Mrs. Brown was not well today. EH Brown IMG 129 August 1st 1850 Thursday - Cloudy in the morning and quite calm. About 9 o’clock AM it cleared off and was very warm. In the evening it looked as if the weather was not settled, a little breeze from the south. I helped Mr. Mowen build a lime kill (or rather a pile of logs . . . to burn lime) we did not start very [early] in the morning. We returned home sometime before night. Mr. Zuck, Wm. Hoskin helped and Wm. Smart in the forenoon Mr. Mowen took his team. August 2nd 1850 Friday - Clear and warm, some wind from the south. Dr. Elbert called on me in the morning to help kill a beef for the loco [local] dinner tomorrow at Greens Mills. We went up to S. Groom’s in the morning for the beef. We finished the beef by 11 o’clock AM. In the evening, I went out for blackberries. Mrs. Mowen came over in the evening, also Mr. Osborn, and set and talked for sometime. All well. EH Brown IMG 130 August 3rd 1850 Saturday - Cloudy and thundered and lighten; looked very much raining before noon, wind from the southwest. By 8 o’clock AM it cleared off and was very warm. The wing blew some all day, but it did not blow as hard in the afternoon as it did in the forenoon. I went up to Mr. Reynold’s after breakfast to borrow some flour. After I returned home I concluded to go up to the Loco Dinner at Greens Mille. I walked up with Mr. Browne. I rode home in Mr. Warner’s wagon. I returned home about 4 o’clock PM. Mr. Smart called on me in the morning, to get me to help him to bind up oats. I expected to have helped him in the evening. There were a good many out to the dinner on (as the Locos [locals] called it) Barbecue but not near as many as was expected. The dinner was beef, mutton, and bread only. Dr. Elbert the Loco candidate for representative spoke before dinner. After dinner, Mr. Hull, candidate for Senator, next, Mr. Hen, Candidate for Congress. I left while Hen was speaking EH Brown. IMG 131 August 4th 1850 Sunday - Clear and very warm, some wind from the southwest, which was cool. Mrs. Brown and went down to the garden in the forenoon for some cucumbers and squash for dinner. I went down again in the evening. Dr. . . . Elbert called early in the morning to look at the Whig and Register (newspaper).r /> August 5th 1850 Monday - Cloudy in the morning and looked very much like raining before noon. Wind from the southeast and blew pretty strong in the forenoon. About 9 o’clock AM it cleared off and was very warm the afternoon; was very warm indeed. I walked over to the election in the morning and started home about 3 o’clock PM. I got my dinner, then went up to Mr. Wm. Cantril’s store for some flour. I walked up and carried my flour on my back apart of the way. Mr. Hiskey overtook me and took my flour on his horse. He was coming to the office. All well today. EH Brown IMG 132 August 6th 1850 Tuesday - Clear in the forenoon and very warm, no air stirring. In the afternoon about 2 o’clock, it looked like rain, it thundered in the west, but no rain. The afternoon was the warmest evening I ever felt in my life. I settled in part with Dr. . . . Elbert in the morning. I hauled some wheat in the afternoon and put it in Mr. Bonner’s barn for the tramp out for bread. Mr. Zook helped me with one load. August 7th 1850 Wednesday - Clear and very warm, but not so warm as it was yesterday. Some wind blew from the southeast in the afternoon. I tramped wheat all day, that I put in Bonners Barn. I did not quite finish it. I wrote to the second Assistant P.M. General tendering my Commission as Post Master. Mr. Bonner was taken very sick in the morning. Mrs. Brown went a berrying in the evening and did not get back until late. She went with Kit Spain. All well, I went to the garden before breakfast Mrs. Brown went after breakfast. IMG 133 August 8th 1850 Thursday - A little cloudy at sunrise, it cleared off soon after sunrise and was very warm all day. Some wind from the South S West. I finished tramping my wheat, and cleaned it and put it in bags. I had 12 Ľ bushels. Mr. Zuck helped me to clean it in the evening. I was not very well in the afternoon. I called to see Wm. N. Wilson at Mr. Mowen’s in the evening. August 9th 1850 Friday - Clear and very warm all day. Some signs of rain in the evening, a little breeze from the northeast. I went down to Mr. Bonner’s in the morning with the intention of going to the mill with his team, but as one of the mares had a colt to follow her, he (Mr. Bonner) thought it would not cross the Des Moines. I returned home and after dinner I went back and helped Mr. Smart to clean up a little wheat and he and I went to mill together with his team. We went to the water mill at Keosauqua. It was late in the night when we got home. My son Calvin went with me. IMG 134 August 10th 1850 Saturday - Raining and rained until about 10 o’clock AM. It then cleared off and was very warm in the afternoon. About 10 o’clock AM, J.H. Elbert and I went to fix up some fence across the drain through the cornfield. We found that we had to haul some rails first. He went for his Team. My son Calvin watched the gap while I pulled up the grass and weeks out of my cabbage. After dinner I fixed up the gap while S.H. Elbert hauled the rails. We fixed up the fence around the Stubble field. Mrs. Brown went down to the garden in the evening and picked the pickles and I carried them up in the evening after I finished the fence. Mr. David Mowen called on me in the morning to see about my P. O. Desk and requested me to write to the Department relative to it. I wrote while it was raining. The wind blew from the northwest early in the morning but it changed to the southeast soon after sunrise. All well. E H Brown IMG 135 August 11th 1850 Sunday - Clear and cool with a strong wind from the South East. The wind blew all day, which cooled the air very much. George Mc Kenney took dinner with us. After . . . dinner I walked out to the woods and found some blackberries. Mrs. Brown went somewhere with Mrs. Spain after dinner. I wrote to Robert Ogden in Keokuk on business in the morning. I walked down to my garden in the evening late. August 12th 1850 Monday - Clear and warm, but not so warm as it has been for some days back. Considerable of wind from the southeast, which was cool. Mrs. Brown and I went down to the garden in the morning. While we were there, Mr. Smart came to see me about helping him with some grain. I went with him and bound oats for him. In the evening we cleaned out Mr. Bonner’s well. Mr. Smart went in the well. All well. EH Brown IMG 136 August 13th 1850 Tuesday - Clear and very warm, a little wind from the southeast. I went down to Mr. Bonner’s to get his team for the purpose of stacking my wheat but I did not get the team until about 10 o’clock AM. Mr. Smart and I went to binding his (Smart’s) oats until the mail came along. I came home and changed it and then went down to Bonner’s again for the team. Mr. Smart went with me, we hauled a load of straw in the field with us to put under my stacks. We hauled one load before dinner, but did not stack it. We put in one stack in the afternoon. I took the team home in the evening. I got a letter from my brother John R. Brown. Mr. A. Brooks came down and took up all the mail for Indian Prairie Post Office. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s at noon for a pickle barrel and brought it home on my back. A great many wagons passed by on their way to the mill. Most of them went to the water mill at Keosauqua. Some prospect of rain in the evening, thundered off to the northwest in the evening. E.H. Brown IMG 137 August 14th 1850 Wednesday - Cloudy in the morning, looked very much like raining, wind from the south. No rain; it went around to the west. Cleared off about 8 o’clock AM. It clouded up again in the evening, a little before sundown. About 8 o’clock PM it began to sprinkle rain, but it sprinkled a few minutes, then cleared off. Mr. Smart and I finished stacking my wheat by 11 o’clock AM. We hauled with Smart’s team. We went to the mill (Keosauqua) in the afternoon and had to wait for it until nearly sundown. August 15th 1850 Thursday - Clear and warm but not as warm as it was yesterday. Considerable of wind from the south east, it blew more in the evening then in the morning. Dr. Elbert came before I had my breakfast, to settle with me, but we did not settle. I helped Mr. Smart to stack his winter wheat. I did not get home until late; we worked til dark. I saw several men taking lumber and wood into the Campground. All well except my son, John [age 6] who was sick in the evening. IMG 138 August 16th 1850 Friday - The sun arose clear, but it soon went under a cloud. About 9 o’clock AM it began to rain and rained until late in the afternoon, but it did not clear off. I went down and helped Mr. Smart to stack a small stack of spring wheat. We got wet before we got done. I came home and wrote two letters in the evening; one to my Brother John in Ohio, the other to my Brother-in-Law in Ohio. Mr. Smart brought up some flour and bran from his house for me in the evening, that I left at his house the other night, as I came from the mill. August 17th 1850 Saturday - Still raining, wind from the southeast. Cleared off about 12 o’clock or partly so. It was not clear all day, high wind from the south. It was quite cool in the morning and warm in the evening. I went down in the forenoon for some melons. I went up to the Camp Meeting in the evening and returned about 12 o’clock and night. Mr. Jay preached and Smith exhorted after him. Tolerably large congregation out. IMG 139 August 18th 1850 Sunday - Clear and very warm, late in the evening looked some like raining before morning, but it cleared off a little after dark and was quite pleasant for the meeting. Mrs. Brown and the children and I went up to the meeting soon after breakfast. Mrs. Brown and children stayed overnight. I came home and looked after my concerns and returned to the Camp Ground again. There were a great many people out today some say the largest congregation ever on the ground. It was uncomfortably warm during the forepart of the day. I took dinner with Mc Kenney. Monday 19th 1850 Clear and warm, but not so warm as it was yesterday. I came down home in the morning after breakfast to see after my things. John Mc Kenney came with me and milked my cow and took the milk up to the Camp Ground. We all came home after dinner. We stayed at McKenney’s. The Sacrament was administered after the 11 o’clock Sermon. Rev. Smith Preached. Speaking meeting in the morning. IMG 140 August 20th 1850 Tuesday - Cloudy and misty, wind from the northwest, rained some in the night, I think about midnight. Cloudy and misty all day. The wind fell soon after sunrise and it was quite calm all day. I wrote a letter to my uncle Robert Brown in Ohio in the morning. After the mail came I walked up to the campground. I returned home before night. About one half of the tent holders had left when I left or at any rate the were had and left some of them and the some were about to leave. August 21st 1850 Wednesday - Cloudy and began to rain about 9 o’clock AM and rained until 11 o’clock AM. It was clear by 12 o’clock AM. About 3 o’clock PM it clouded up and looked like raining soon. It was clear before sundown. I took Mr. Olson’s flour home that I borrow of him sometime ago, also Mr. Groom’s. I cleaned out the well in the road, that I get water out of. I went down Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Spain drew at the mud. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Spain went down to the garden in the evening. IMG 141 August 22nd 1850 Thursday - Clear and very warm, calm all day. I went down to Mr. Smart’s after breakfast and got him and team and hauled two small loads of wood in the forenoon. Mr. Smart took dinner with us. After dinner we hauled some of Mr. Bonner’s oats in. The third of Smart’s crop. It was late in the evening when I got home. August 23rd 1850 Friday - The sun arose clear, but it clouded up in a few minutes and looked like rain, but it soon cleared up and the wind blew from the South all day until late in the evening, when it became quite calm and clouded up. Began to thunder and lighting a little after sundown. About midnight it began to rain and blow, then blew very hard and from the northwest. It rained very hard for sometime. I helped Mr. Smart to finished haul in Mr. Bonner’s part of his grain and stack some of his oats (Smart’s) at the house. (Smart’s house) Mrs. Brown was not very well. I was not quite well. EH Brown. IMG 142 August 24th 1850 Saturday – Clear and pleasant, quite muddy in the morning but it soon dried up, wind from the northwest. Mr. Brown and I went down to the garden in the morning. I did not return home from the garden. I went down to Mr. Bonner’s to help Mr. Smart unload a load of oats but he had the most off when I got there. I returned home and did not do anything the balance of the day. Mrs. Brown went up to Mr. Osborn’s in the evening late to eat muskmelons. EH Brown August 25th 1850 Saturday – Clear in the morning. About 9 o’clock AM it became some cloudy, looked some like rain wind from the northwest. Mr. Nathan Mull called in as he was going to meeting for a letter. He did not go to church, he stayed until in the evening. Cloudy more or less all day. Sometimes it looked like raining, then it would clear off and the sun would shine clear again. I went down to the garden in the evening for melons. Mrs. Spain came over to eat some of them. EH Brown. IMG 143 August 26th 1850 Tuesday – Clear and cool wind from the north. It was not very warm all day. I helped Mr. Smart to finish stacking his grain. I went down in the morning early but Mr. Smart could not haul until about 10 o’clock AM. We finished about 4 o’clock PM. As we took Mr. Bonner’s wagon home, I put on some few sheaves of wheat and put them up in his barn. It was some of my wheat. Mrs. Brown spent a part of the evening with Mrs. Mowen. Mrs. Brown and I took supper with them. I went down to my garden after supper. Monday August 27th 1850 Clear and pleasant, some wind from the south. I thrashed a few bushels of oats in the morning for Mr. Mowen. Mr. Smart came about 11 o’clock for to get me to help him to stack grain. I went after dinner. I made a mistake in the days. This is Monday . . . instead of Tuesday. The days of the month is right. S.H. [Samuel age 17] Elbert and Ann [age 19] started for Ohio today. IMG 144 August 28th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and pleasant, cool in the morning, looked some like raining soon in the evening. I went down to Bentonsport in the forenoon to get work on the dam. When I got there and heard their prices, I returned home. I walked down and came by Keosauqua. I stopped in at Funks steam sawmill as I went and came. I stopped in the steam gristmill as I returned. It was late when I got home. August 29th 1850 Thursday – Cloudy and began to rain, about 8 o’clock AM and rained all day, rained very hard in the evening, wind from the northeast. I took some flour home that I had borrowed of Mr. Reynolds some time ago. It rained very hard while I was there. I called over to Mr. Mowen’s in the evening a few minutes. Mr. Jacob Benington called in the evening late. While he was here Mr. Mowen came over to see him and took him to look at a hog that Elbert killed for him. Quite cool in the evening. E.H. Brown. IMG 145 August 30th 1850 Friday – Raining and continued to rain all day, wind from the north. I went out to the corn with Mr. Mull to help him to drive some hogs out of the corn. While we were out, it rained very hard and we got very wet. We fixed up some fence while we were out. I called in at Mr. Mull awhile to wait till the shower would pass over. The shower did not pass over but rained all day. August 31st 1850 Saturday – Raining in the morning and continued to rain until about 8 o’clock AM. After the rain I went down to the garden and fixed up some fence around my cornfield. After dinner I went down to James Hogue’s for a blank book for to record the proceedings of the School District. I stopped at Samuel Clarke’s and got some watermelons to eat as I returned home. I gave William Cantril a bill of sale on my corn on Dr. Elbert’s farm in the forenoon. EH Brown. IMG 146 September 1st 1850 Sunday – Cloudy and quite cool all day, wind blew strong from the northwest. It was cold enough to set by a fire all day. I wrote considerably in the school record for District No. 9 Des Moines Township, Van Buren County, State of Iowa. Mrs. Brown called over to Mrs. Spain’s in the forenoon. After dinner she called on Mrs. Mowen. Mrs. Mowen be sick she called to see her. John McKinney took dinner with us. I walked over to Mr. Hayden’s in the evening. September 2nd 1850 Monday – Clear and quite cool, wind from the northwest and cool also. I carried some water for Mrs. Brown to wash with in the morning, first thing after breakfast. Then I went around the District to take the census of the District oo taken the names of the children over 5 years of age and under 21 years of age. I went down to . . . the road in the morning and up the road in the afternoon. I took dinner with Mr. Groom. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. The Rev. Mr. Coleman called in the evening a few minutes. EH Brown. IMG 147 September 3rd 1850 Tuesday – Clear and cool in the morning, wind from the south and blew quite hard in the evening. A little before sunset began to show signs of rain soon. About 8 o’clock PM it rained a few minutes tolerably fast. I worked for Mr. Groom. I sowed and harrowed in wheat for him. We washed and limed some wheat in the morning. Mr. Groom went out to the field with me. I brought some meat home with me as I came home at night. September 4th 1850 Wednesday – Rained considerable of a shower about 3 o’clock AM. Continued cloudy and looked like raining until 9 o’clock AM. Cloudy most all day looked very much like raining about sunset, thundered and lightened some after dark. I worked for Mr. Groom. I sowed and harrowed wheat. The school directors and Mr. Rankin met at my house at night to settle with Mr. Rankin for teaching a summer school. It was quite late when I got home from Groom’s. The mail came down about sunrise. Mrs. Brown was not very well in the evening. IMG 148 September 5th 1850 Thursday – Clear and cool with a high wind from the northwest. The wind did not blow much in the afternoon, quite calm about sunset. I went up to Mr. Mowen’s about 10 o’clock AM, to attend a church trial between him and Dr. Elbert. I recorded some district school business before I went from home. I took dinner with Mr. Mowen. The trial did not begin until about 2 o’clock PM. John Spain and I got into a fuss at my house. We came to knocks but we did not hurt each other for we were parted soon as we commenced by G. Osborn. The trial was adjourned until another time. September 6th 1850 Friday – Cloudy and looked very much like raining in the morning, wind from the northwest. It began to rain about noon a little and rained by showers all the evening, it rained quite hard just before sunset. I worked for Mr. Groom at sowing and plowing in wheat. I got very wet in the evening. As I came in from work, I brought in some corn in the wagon for Groom. IMG 149 September 7th 1850 Saturday – Very foggy until quite late in the morning but it was clear and pleasant calm all day. I fixed my double shovel plow in the morning for plowing in wheat. I went down to Mr. Rankin’s sale about 10 o’clock AM and stayed until about 10 o’clock in the evening. Joseph McKinney took dinner with Mr. Bonner. Mr. Davidson and son came in the evening to look at my corn. We went out and looked at the corn but made no trade. I called to see Dr. Elbert in the evening but he was not at home. Mr. Brown called over to see Mrs. Mowen in the afternoon, Mrs. Mowen being sick. There were a good many at Mr. Rankin’s sale. Things sold very well especially the cattle. The horses were very well also. Mr. Brake called at the office and waited on me until I could go down to the sale. Joseph Mc Kenney came back with me. The sun went down under a cloud. EH Brown. IMG 150 September 8th 1850 Sunday – Clear and pleasant, some wind from the south, looked some like raining in a day or two. Mrs. Brown went up to see Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Spain went with her. They walked up. Mr. Cooper called in the evening as he was going over to Mr. Gillbreth’s. I went over with him. We got some peaches to eat. We returned before sundown. I went down to my cornfield in the morning and turned out one of Elbert’s horses. Some cloudy about sunset and cool. Mrs. Brown did not return until night. September 9th 1850 Monday – Cloudy and looked very much like rain in the evening, it was very cloudy thundered and looked like raining very hard in the forepart of the night. It lightened very much and thundered some. After all it did not rain any. I began to sow wheat for myself on Mr. Groom’s farm. It was quite warm in the afternoon and later part of the forenoon. I hauled in a load of green corn for Groom as I came in to dinner. Mrs. Brown was not well in the evening. IMG 151 September 10th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy in the morning, wind from the north. It sprinkled a little after breakfast, cleared off about 8 o’clock AM and was quite warm. Looked some like rain at sunset. I helped Mr. N. Warner to thrash wheat with a machine. We got done before night and then cut corn until night. Mrs. McKenney, Mrs. Willey, and Mrs. Mull took supper with Mrs. Brown. Mrs. McKinney came in the morning. I brought two watermelons home with me from Mr. Warner’s. Warner came for me in the morning. September 11th 1850 Wednesday – Commenced to rain a little before daylight and was cloudy and rainy all day. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the forenoon and washed some seed wheat and cleaned out the horse stable for Mr. Groom. I went down to the garden in the evening for some pumpkins. The wind blew very hard before night, northeast, quite cool in the evening. Mrs. Brown was not very well all day. IMG 152 September 12th 1850 Thursday – Cloudy and began to rain soon after sunrise and rained hard until noon, when it shucked up, and look as if it would break off, but it soon clouded up again and began to rain, and rained all the evening. It did not rain fast but it rained too much to work out. Mr. Osborn got several of us neighbors together and moved his corn house from where it stood and put it up again in the afternoon. I caught my pig that was in Elbert’s field and put it in a pen. I caught it with Spain’s dog. September 13th 1850 Friday – Rained until late in the forenoon, it did not clear off but remained cloudy all day, wind from the northeast. I stayed at home in the forenoon. After dinner I went up to Cantril’s store. After I returned home, I went over to Mr. Davidson’s. I did not get home until dark. Mrs. Hoskins and Miss Mary Sholts assisted my wife to quilt in the evening. I went to my garden in the morning. IMG 153 September 14th 1850 Saturday – Raining with wind from the northeast. It rained until noon when it stopped raining, but it did not clear off. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s shop in the morning. Miss Shults assisted Mrs. Brown on her quilt, she came before dinner some time. I assisted Mr. Mowen to move some things from the house where Powers lived to his new house in the evening. I went down to my garden in the forenoon. September 15th 1850 Sunday – Clear and pleasant, some wind from the south. The mud dried up very fast. Mrs. Brown went over to Mrs. Spain’s in the morning, after she got her work done up. She returned home between 12 and 1 o’clock AM. Mrs. Osborn and daughter called in a few minutes in the evening. Mrs. Brown went as far as Mrs. Spain’s with them as they returned home. I called in at Mr. Mowen’s in the evening and got some peaches to eat. Mrs. Brown was not very well. IMG 154 September 16th 1850 Monday – Clear and quite warm, wind from the south. I sowed wheat on Mr. Groom’s farm for myself. Mr. Groom came to see me before breakfast. Mrs. Brown sent Calvin and John up to Brook’s store for some coffee and molasses. It was quite wet for me to seed. All well. September 17th 1850 Tuesday – Commenced raining a little before daybreak and rained until after sunrise, then cleared off and was a fine day, though quite warm. The wind in the morning was from the south, in the evening it was from the northwest and cool. I finished seeding by noon. I helped Mr. Osborn cut corn in the afternoon for Mr. Cooper. Mrs. Brown had Mrs. Osborn and Mrs. Willey to assist her on her quilt. Mrs. Osborn came in the morning, Mrs. Willey in the afternoon. Mr. Osborn came down with me and took supper with us. Joseph Osborn stayed overnight with our boys. Martha Osborn called in the evening late from Mrs. Spain’s. IMG 155 September 18th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy and cool all day, wind from the northwest. About two hours before sundown, the sun shone out awhile. It rained a few minutes in the evening. It looked like rain all day. In the evening late it clouded up in the south, thundered and lightened considerably and looked like raining very but it passed around with raining any. I cut up corn for myself on Mr. Groom’s farm. I cut and put up 50 shocks myself. Mrs. Brown finished her quilt. All well. September 19th 1850 Thursday – Clear and warm, some wind from the northwest. I cut corn for myself on Mr. Grooms farm. I put up 40 shocks and tied up what I cut yesterday. I borrowed 13 lbs. of flour in the morning of Mr. Mowen. Mr. Smart called in the morning to see Mr. Cooper but Mr. Cooper did not come to work for me as he promised to do. He (Smart) went up to Cooper’s. All well today. EH Brown. IMG 156 September 20th 1850 Friday – Clear and pleasant all day, considerable of wind from the south in the afternoon. I wrote some school notices in the morning and put them up and went up to Mr. Groom’s, and he and I took his team out to the cornfield. We tied up some shocks, then put on a load of fodder and corn for Mr. Groom and brought it home. I took dinner with Mr. Grooms. I went down in the afternoon to Mr. Hogue’s to see Mr. Cantril about thrashing my wheat. As I was not in a hurry, I stayed and fed the machine until they finished, which was before night. I took supper at Hogue’s. Mrs. McKinney and daughter took dinner with Mrs. Brown. They and Mrs. Brown went down to see Mr. Bonner’s folks after dinner. They had a fine visit of it. Mrs. Brown brought some apples and peaches home with her. She did not return until dark. It was after dark when I got home. I went up to Mr. Mull’s before breakfast to see Cooper but he was not at home. I brought some corn with me as I returned home. All well. EH Brown. IMG 157 September 21st 1850 Saturday – some cloudy and looked like raining. It did rain a little in the morning early and thundered and lightened also. It sprinkled some several time through the day, wind from the south. I tended a trial at Hilleses between Elbert and Wilson. I was a witness. I went early in the morning and did not return until quite late after night. I got no dinner or supper until I returned home. September 22nd 1850 Sunday – Clear and quite warm all day. It was quite calm all day. Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Mull called in the morning and stayed until after dinner. Mr. Mull and Cooper took dinner with us also. Mr. Cooper and wife went home soon after dinner. Mr. Mull and wife, myself and wife walked over to Mr. Mowen’s in the evening and set awhile. We got some peaches to eat. Mrs. Mull and wife stayed until dark, they and Mrs. Brown went up to the schoolhouse to hear Mr. Balinger at night. IMG 158 September 23rd 1850 Monday – Clear and quite warm, some wind from the south in the forenoon. In the evening it was from the northwest. The wind blew quite hard but yet it was very warm. Mr. Cantril’s machine came to thrash for Mr. Smart and myself. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Zuck helped me. We finished just a little before sundown. The Mr. Cantril took supper with us as the[y] were going home. I think it was one of the worst jobs of thrashing I ever saw on account of the dust. I thrashed my wheat first. We . . . finished it by noon. I sold my last set of harnesses to Mr. F. Cantril in the evening, as the[y] we[re] passing by with the machine. Miss Lydia Zuck assisted Mrs. Brown to cook for our hands that were helping us to thrash. I looked some like raining in the forenoon and looked like it in the evening. We put my wheat in a pen and left Smart’s on the floor to be cleaned tomorrow. We had a very bad time of it on account of the dust. All Well. IMG 159 September 24th 1850 Tuesday - Clear and quite warm, some wind from the southeast. I helped Mr. Smart to clean up his wheat. One of Mr. Davidson’s sons helped also. We began in the morning early but did not get done until about 9 o’clock at night. After we finished we went down to Mr. Bonner’s orchard and got some peaches. One of Mr. Zuck’s daughters assisted Mrs. Brown to wash up her bed cloths. She (Mrs. Brown) was not very well. I came home for my dinner and took supper with Mr. Smart. September 25th 1850 Wednesday – Clear in the forenoon, wind from the west in the morning but it changed to the north before noon. It was cloudy in the afternoon, about an hour, and looked like rain. I cleaned up my wheat; Mr. Smart assisted. We finished it about sundown. I had 34 bushels; half of it belonged to Bonner. I took it to him with Mr. Smart’s team and wagon. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell. I tried to drive some horses out of my corn at noon. IMG 160 September 26th 1850 Thursday – Cloudy in the morning and began to rain about 10 o’clock AM and rained slow until about 3 o’clock PM, when it began to rain very hard and rained until a little before sundown, when it slacked up and the sun shone out and looked like it would clear off, but it soon clouded up and began to rain again. It rained very hard and hailed some. It cleared off before morning and was quite cool. I started to Toms Mill about 9 o’clock PM. I got quite wet before I stopped. I stopped about 3 miles beyond Woods Mill. Mr. Smart went with me, he took a load also. We slept up in an oats mow. We fared fine. Friday – Clear and pleasant a little cool in the morning wind from the west. We started quite early in the morning we got to the mill between 9 and 10 o’clock AM. We got our grain grounded and left the mill about half passed 1 o’clock PM. We got back to where we stayed last night by 7 o’clock PM and slept in the oats mow again. The roads were some muddy in the morning but were dry by night, a little cool at night. IMG 161 September 28th 1850 Saturday – Clear and cool, wind from the northwest, but little wind all day, quite warm in the latter part of the day. We (Mr. Smart and myself) started home quite early in the morning and got home by noon. I stopped at my straw pile to fill my bed ticks as I came home but the straw was too wet to be put in a bed. After dinner I took . . . Mr. Groom’s team home and came by Mr. H Richison’s and got a small piece of beef of him. After I returned home I took my pen and ink and went up to Mr. Chaffee’s cooper shop and altered a school notice that I had put up some days since. I returned and took some flour to Mr. Mowne’s that I had borrowed of him. I went down to my cornfield for some corn for my pigs. After supper I went down to Mr. Smart’s on some business quite late when I returned home. I lost Mr. Smarts axe out of my wagon as we come from mill. Smart went to look for it but did not find it. All well. EH Brown. IMG 162 September 29th 1850 Sunday – Clear and pleasant, a little cool in the morning but by 9 o’clock AM it was quite pleasant. Mrs. Brown walked up to the Chapel to hear preaching. I remained at home and drew off my official returns to the Post Office Department. Mr. Hayden and Dowell called in a few minutes. I went out into the brush for some black hawes in the evening. Mrs. Brown was not very well. The wind was from the northeast, quite cool at night. September 30th 1850 Monday – Cloudy and began to rain before sunrise and rained quite hard until 9 o’clock AM. It then cleaned off and was a fine day after the rain. I took some flour up to Mr. Chaffee’s to pay him for a pickle tub. I then made out my returns to the Post Office Department and went down to my cornfield for some corn for my pigs before dinner. After dinner I went over to Jacob Smiths esq. Mr. Smith raised his barn but I did not go to help him, but to see some men that I expected to be there. Miss C. Spain and Mrs. H. Spain took supper with us, also Mr. Groom. IMG 163 October 1st 1850 Tuesday – Rained very hard sometime before day break. It did not rain any at daylight but it did soon after sunrise and rained until about 8 o’clock A.M. Thundered and lightened considerable, continued cloudy all day, the sun showed itself sometime for a minute or two at a time but it was not clear. I waited at home until the mail came, then I went up to Mr. Groom’s and cut corn for him. I received a letter from Mr. Raymond in Lawrenceburgh, Indiana relative to my property in Dillsborough, Indiana. I answered it at night after I returned from work. I also put up my xxxx returns to the P.O. Department. October 2nd 1850 Wednesday – Clear and cool in the morning but warm in the middle of the day. Some wind from the north. I cut corn until noon for Mr. Groom. I came home at noon to pay over to the mail contractor the money in my hands belonging to the Department. I went to work again for Groom. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Spain walked over to Mr. J. Hayden’s in the evening. IMG 164 October 3rd 1850 Thursday – Clear and cool in the morning, wind from the south. Mrs. Brown was quite sick all night and day. Mrs. Spain came over in the morning before day and stayed until daylight. After she went home Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] came and stayed awhile. I sent for Mrs. Zuck in the evening. I went for corn to my cornfield and to the gaveler. Mrs. Zuck got our dinner and stayed with us until sundown or thereabouts. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the evening to see him relative to my wife. Mr. Cantril was thrashing Elbert’s grain with his machine and I stopped and fed the machine awhile. I went over to see Mrs. Willey after dark to get her to come and stay with my wife. She came over a little after dark and stayed until morning with us. We did not have to be up much. The mail came up again today, the first time it came up on the every other day mail. I sent word to Mr. Davidson that he could have my corn by Mr. Scott. Mr. Davidson and I had been talking about my corn a few days ago. He wished to buy it. Mr. Groom stopped at the Dr.’s while I was there, he came away with me. IMG 165 October 4th 1850 Friday – Clear in the morning, but it soon clouded up and began to rain by noon, wind from the north and it was quite cool. It rained about an hour then stopped, but remained cloudy all the afternoon. I helped Dr. Elbert half of the day to thrash his oats. It began to rain before we finished, but we finished before it done any harm. I left as soon as I got my dinner and went up to Mr. John Cantril’s. I did not get home until after dark. Mrs. Brown continued very sick all day. Dr. Elbert called to see her in the morning. Mrs. Willey and Mrs. Spain called over in the afternoon and waited on Mrs. Brown. October 5th 1850 Saturday – Clear and quite cool, the ground was white with frost, the wind was from the north. The wind blew quite strong and cold all day. Mrs. Brown was very sick all day. Elbert called in the morning Dr. Elbert spent the afternoon and part of the evening. Mrs. Brown got better in the evening. Mrs. Zuck and Richison stayed over night with us. Mrs. Willey was with us in the afternoon. I went up to H. Richison’s in the evening for some tallow. IMG 166 October 6th 1850 Sunday – Clear and cool with a heavy frost, some wind from the north. Mrs. Brown was quite easy in the morning. Mrs. Richison went over to Mrs. Spain’s soon after breakfast. Mrs. Zuck done up the morning work before she left. I sent Calvin up to Mrs. Osborne for some castor oil. Dr. Elbert called early in the morning and took breakfast with us. Mrs. Sarah Hoskins (Mowne) milked for us in the morning. I sent for Mrs. Osborn in the morning, she came but she did not stay long. After she went away Mrs. Groom came down and stayed until after dinner, she assisted in getting dinner. I went to my garden for some tomatoes and pumpkins. I cooked some pumpkins in the evening. Mrs. James Mowne [Mowen] called in the forenoon, but she did not stay long. Dr. Elbert called on us; he was passing by. The wind did not blow much in any part of the day. The wind blew from the south in the afternoon. Calvin (my son) went home with Mrs. Groom for some preserved peaches and sweet . . . potatoes. I borrowed some beef of Mr. Spain in the morning. Mrs. Mowne milked for us in the evening. Elizabeth Zuck came late to assist Mrs. Brown. Several called at the office. IMG167 October 7th 1850 Monday – Clear and pleasant, some wind from the south, considerable of frost in the morning. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s after breakfast and brought my plow home. I then made out my report to the common school fund commissioner for Van Buren Co. The school meeting met at 1 o’clock PM and did not adjourn until sundown. Most of the voters were present. Mrs. Osborn took supper with Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown was quite easy but not able to be out of her bed. Dr. Elbert called in the morning to see Mrs. Brown. EH Brown. October 8th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy and windy, wind from the south, about 10 o’clock AM the sun shone out and was clear until most sundown, when it began to cloud up again. By 8 o’clock PM it looked like raining. I helped Elbert to clean oats in the afternoon and a part of the forenoon. I killed a hog in the morning for meat. The school directors for District No 2 in Des Moines Township, Iowa met at Dr. Elbert’s at candlelight. I was present. Mrs. Brown is getting better. I filled a bed tick at Dr. Elbert’s and brought it home in the evening. IMG 168 October 9th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy in the morning and looked very much like raining. I went down to my garden before breakfast for some tomatoes for pickles. It began to raining some after I returned and rained quite hard all day, wind from the south and it very hard most of the day. I recorded some for the school district and assisted in making some tomatoes pickles. It was very muddy in the evening. It rained very steady and hard all day, it was not very cold. October 10th 1850 Thursday – clear and pleasant with a high south wind, which dried up the mud very fast. It looked some like raining soon again in the morning. I went up to Mrs Mull’s in the morning, for some green tomatoes to make ketchup with. After the mail came I went up to Dr. Elbert’s and helped to clean up oats and wheat. Mr. Smart helped until noon. Young Mr. Davidson helped all day. Mrs. Brown was quite smart today. Mr. Brown sent up to Mr. Groom’s for some vinegar in the evening. I went up to Mr. Chaffe’s and got a churn of him in the morning. IMG 169 October 11th 1850 Friday – Clear and pleasant with a high wind from the north, quite cool in the morning. I assisted Dr. Elbert to clean up wheat 2/3 of the day. I filled a bed tick at Elbert’s barn with straw and carried it home on my head. Mrs. Brown got up and assisted to make some pickles. The wind did not blow much in the evening. October 12th 1850 Saturday – Clear and quite warm in the late part of the day, though it was cool in the morning. I went down to my garden before breakfast for a bag of corn for my pigs. Mr. Groom came to get me to assist him in worming his apple trees, but I did not go. I gathered my pumpkins together in the forenoon and hauled some wood in the afternoon with Dr. Elbert’s oxen. I got a letter from my brother John in Ohio. I gave Mr. Rankin an order on the School District Treasured (Mr. Hogue) for 2.00 dollars for teaching my children last summer and spring. Mrs. Brown was quite smart today. Elizabeth Zuck went home in the evening. IMG 170 October 13th 1850 Sunday – Clear and quite pleasant, some wind from the south. I wrote a letter to my brother John in Ohio. Mrs. Mull called in a few minutes. Mrs. Brown was quite smart today. I remained at home all day, some cloudy in the afternoon. We took a good late to hickory nuts in the afternoon, quite warm in the middle of the day, cool late in the evening. Tolerably calm all day, a breeze from the south. October 14th 1850 Monday – Clear and pleasant wind, from the south. Warm in the middle of the day. I began to plow for my spring crop on Mr. Groom’s farm. I used my own plow, the land was too wet in the forenoon to work well, in the evening the land worked better. I went down to Mr. Smart’s in the evening to get him to assist me on Tuesday. I did not get him. The Board of School directors met at the house of Dr. Elbert’s at candle light. I went down. Mr. Hogue was not present. Mrs. Brown quite smart. IMG 171 October 15th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy in the morning until 10 o’clock AM. Afternoon it was quite warm, some wind from the south. It looked like rain in the morning. I assisted Mr. Mowne to daub or point his house up by Mr. Chaffee. I mixed mortar. I went up to Mr. Osborn’s in the evening to see him about changing work with him. I did not succeed. I went to hear Mr. Burns preach at the district schoolhouse at candlelight. Miss Maria Mc Kinny stayed over night with us. October 16th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and quite pleasant some wind from the northwest. I plowed for my spring crop on Mr. Groom’s farm. I began quite early in the morning. I stopped sometime before night to assist Mr. Groom to haul in a load of corn with my team, or with the team, which I was working. Mrs. Brown went up to Mr. Osborn’s in the evening. It was quite late when she returned. It was quite warm in the middle of the day. Maria McKinny took dinner with us. She went home in the afternoon. IMG 172 October 17th 1850 Thursday – Clear and quite cool in the morning. Calm in the forepart of the day. In the afternoon the wind blew strong from the northwest and clouded up some. By sunset it looked like raining before morning. It did rain a few minutes about 8 o’clock PM. Quite cool in the evening. Mrs. Mull visited Mrs. Brown in the morning, . . . and in the evening they both took supper with Mrs. Spain. I plowed for corn on Mrs. Groom’s farm for myself. The land worked quite well in the evening. October 18th 1850 Friday – Cloudy and quite cool all day, with a strong northwest wind, which blew hard all day, cloudy most all day. The sun shone out in the afternoon, late, and set clear. I plowed for corn on Groom’s farm for myself. I finished plowing the land where Mr. Harvey H. Richison had oats last year, before night sometime. I returned home sometime before sundown. The wind layed as the sun went down. Mrs. Brown sent and borrowed some corn meal of Mr. Osborn in the evening. Mr. H Chaffee called on me to work for him. I could not assist him. IMG 173 October 19th 1850 Saturday – Cloudy, cold, and very windy, wind from the northwest and quite cold and disagreeable. I assisted Mr. H. Chaffee to mix mortar to plaster his house with. It cleared off a little before sundown and the wind layed with the sun. I had a cold time in mixing the mortar. October 20th 1850 Sunday – Clear and cool in the morning, the ground was white with frost, it being the heaviest frost that has been this fall. I remained at home all day, quite pleasant in the middle of the day. I spent the day in the reading and eating hickory nuts. My white sow that I keep in a pen got out in the night and put her in the pen again in the morning. Some cloudy in the evening, tolerably calm all day. Mrs. Brown walked down to the garden about noon. She did not feel so well after she returned home. Mr. W.V. Wilson called a few minutes in the evening. Mr. John Rowand called in the morning. EH Brown. IMG 174 October 21st 1850 Monday – clear and quite warm in the after-part of the day. Some smoky in the morning, which made it look like it was cloudy. I plowed for oats on Mr. Groom’s farm for myself. I went down to Mr. Smart’s after dark to see him relative to work. Mrs. Brown went over to Mr. Mowne’s in the afternoon to twist some stocking yarn. Dr. Elbert told me in the morning that he wished me to get his rent corn in as soon as I could do so, as he wished to pasture the stalks. October 22nd 1850 Tuesday - A little cloudy and very smoky, some sign of rain in the morning early, but by noon it was clear again. I plowed on Mr. Groom’s farm for myself. Mrs. Spain paid Mrs. Groom a visit in the afternoon. I went to see Mr. Chaffee relative to me learning the cooper trade with him in the afternoon but we could not come to any terms at the present. Mrs. Brown walked over to Mr. A. Spain’s in the evening after supper and stayed a few minutes. Cool all day, some frost in the morning. EHB IMG 175 October 23rd 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy and windy, it was very smoky also. The wind was from the northwest and blew very hard all day. It cleared off about 9 o’clock AM. I finished plowing amongst the corn stacks on Mr. Groom’s farm for oats for myself by two hours before sundown. I then assisted Mr. Groom to haul in a load of corn, which he had pulled by the time that I finished plowing. I went down to Mr. Zuck’s in the evening. I met Dr. Elbert there to see Miss A. Zuck relative to teaching a district school for us this fall and winter. October 24th 1850 Thursday – Rained a little before daylight. Remained cloudy and quite windy all day also quite cold, wind from the north. Went up to Mr. Mull’s in the morning to see him relative to changing work in gathering corn, but he could not change with me. I then went up to Mr. Osborn’s and assisted him in gathering his corn. I hauled while Osborn and John Spencer pulled it. They husked in the afternoon they commenced to return Warner’s shoals. IMG 176 October 25th 1850 Friday - Clear and quite cold, considerable of ice made last night. Wind from the north and quite cold in the morning, but it did not blow much after 9 o’clock AM. This morning was the oldest morning that has been this fall. I assisted Mr. Osborn gather corn until noon. In the afternoon I pulled my corn what I raised in my garden and threw it in piles on the ground to be hauled tomorrow. I hauled corn for Osborn in the forenoon to Warner’s. Mrs. Brown took supper with Mrs. Willey. October 26th 1850 Saturday - Clear and quite cold, froze considerable, northwest wind. I assisted Dr. Elbert to kill a hog in the morning. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the forenoon to get his team to haul my pumpkins and corn that I raised on my garden. I got his team and James Mowne’s wagon. I was sued as secretary of school district No 2 in Des Moines Township, Iowa by P Warner. I did not get through my pumpkins and corn until quite late after night. Mrs. Spain took tea with us. EHB IMG 177 October 27th 1850 Sunday – Clear and pleasant with a southeast wind, which blew tolerably hard. Looked some like a change of weather in the evening. I recorded some school business in the morning. I went down to see Mr. Smart in the forenoon about helping me to gather corn, spent the balance of the day at home. All well. October 28th 1850 Monday – Clear and quite pleasant, some frost in the morning, quite calm all day. I gathered corn Messrs. Osborn, Taylor, and John Spencer assisted me in husking the corn and Mr. Smart hauled as much of the corn as he could with his team. We finished husking Elbert’s third. The men did not come for breakfast. They did not come very early but we got done before sundown. Dr. Elbert called in a few minutes in the afternoon. Mr. Taylor boarded at home. Mr. Spain called in the morning to see me. Joseph Osborn helped Mr. Smart to haul corn. My son Calvin helped in the afternoon. IMG 178 October 29th 1850 Tuesday - Clear and pleasant with a southeast wind, quite warm in the latter part of the day. I assisted John Spencer to husk corn on Everitt’s farm. Messrs. Osborn, Cooper, Mortt. And myself were husking for him. We finished his part a little before sundown. We boarded with Mr. Gallbrett. Mr. Smart and Joseph Osborn finished hauling Dr. Elbert’s rent corn for me to him. Smart used his own team. Miss R. and J. Willey called in a few minutes in the evening also Clarke and Isaac Spain. October 30th 1850 Wednesday - Cloudy all day and looked liked raining in the morning. It sprinkled a little soon in the morning and held up until in the evening, when it rained a very hard shower. It rained about an hour very hard, the wind blew very hard while it was raining. The wind blew quite hard all day. It was from the northwest. I husked corn for Mr. Smart. I worked by myself. Mr. Smart hauled a load corn to Mr. McDonald and a load of oats to Rankin in Pittsburgh. I got wet in coming home. IMG 179 October 31st 1850 Thursday - Clear and quite pleasant, some wind from the northwest. The sun set under a cloud in the evening. The wind did not blow much in any part of the day, tolerably calm in the afternoon. I husked corn for Mr. Smart. Dr. Elbert wanted me to work for him but I had promised Smart. I worked by myself. The corn was quite dry in the afternoon and unpleasant to husk. I husked shock corn. Mrs. Brown was not well in the evening. November 1st 1850 Friday - Cloudy most of the day, wind from the south. Began to rain about an hour before sunset. It began to rain quite moderate. By dark it began to rain hard and rained most of the night. I husked corn for Wm. S. Groom. Groom helped me in the forenoon; in the afternoon I husked by myself. I husked his wagon box full in the afternoon myself. I got wet before I left the field. Dr. Elbert sent for me to help him husk corn for the morning, but I had left before the word came. IMG 180 November 2nd 1850 Saturday – Cloudy in the forenoon looked very much like raining in the morning early. It cleared off by noon. Quite pleasant in the afternoon, northwest wind. I began to shell some corn for bread when Dr. Elbert called for me to go with him to Keosauqua, for the purpose of attending to some school business. We sued Philemon Warner for some school money. As I went out to the trial at Jacob Smith Esq. (Mr. P Warner had sued us as school directors some days and the trial was this day at 1 o’clock PM). I took the officer with me and he served the [notice? Papers?] on Mr. Warner at Jacob Smith’s. We changed the trial to next Saturday. Mr. Warner had Mr. D. Smith for his counsel. We had a meeting of the electors of the District at the schoolhouse to examine the papers and books kept by Mr. Wilson as secretary for this District last year. As he did not signed some of the papers we could not act on . . . them. I rode one of Elbert’s horses to town and over to Smith’s also. I got no dinner until I returned home. IMG 181 November 3rd 1850 Sunday – Cloudy and cool all day, quite foggy in morning until about 10 o’clock AM, calm all day, some smoky, which made it quite dark all day. I recorded considerable of school business and done some writing for myself, which kept me quite stead all day. Miss Martha Osborn came in the morning and took dinner with us. After, she and Mrs. Brown went up to see Mrs. Inskip. It was dark when she returned home. Mr. Groom and Jacob Benington called a few minutes in the afternoon. I walked up to Mrs. Taylor’s fence and talked with him a few minutes in the evening. November 4th 1850 Monday – Began to rain sometime before daylight and rained very hard until 10 o’clock AM. It then broke off, remained some cloudy all the afternoon, wind from the east. It was not very cool for the time of year. I went to the schoolhouse, got in at the window and nailed up some seats as school commenced this morning. Mr. Taylor came and assisted me in putting the stove up, and other things necessary to be done. In the evening Mr. Groom and I fixed the door so it would shut too. Mr. Groom spent sometime at my house in examining the school papers in the evening. IMG 182 November 5th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy, cold, damp, and sprinkled some in the morning. It rained considerably in the night. It sometimes would break off like it would clear off. Then it would cloud up and rain some. About noon it began to rain quite fast and rained about an hour, then stopped and did not rain much more during the evening, but was cloudy and cold, a northwest which blew strong and raw. I remained at home most all day. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s cooper shop about 11 o’clock AM and stayed until noon when I returned home and stayed at home all afternoon. I wrote a letter to Mr. H. Sunderlin of Keosauqua in the afternoon. The school directors met at Dr. Elbert’s in the evening at candlelight. I did not go up until they sent for me. Mr. Philemon Warner came for me. I had gone to bed before he came sometime. I rode behind him up to Elbert’s. We did not get through until quite late, we had to settle with Philemon Warner for his work done on the schoolhouse last year. Mr. Groom was present with us. John Clarke was at the Dr.’s also, but had no business with us. Mrs. Brown was troubled with the toothache in the evening. IMG 183 November 6th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and the coldest morning that has been this fall, wind from the north and it was tolerably strong and very cold. The ground was frozen so hard that it bore me up. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the morning and got a pair of shoes of him for myself to wear. He and I hauled wood for ourselves and one load to the school House. We hauled one load a piece for ourselves. I chopped it. The road was quite muddy in the morning but it was most dry by night. The wind layed with the sun. November 7th 1850 Thursday – Clear and cool in the morning, the ground was frozen quite hard in the morning early, but it soon thawed after the sun arose. Quite muddy in the fields in the middle of the day, some wind from the northwest. I husked corn in the forenoon, for Groom in the afternoon. I hauled some that was husked some time ago by and pulled some and what I husked in the morning. I husked shock corn in the forenoon. Dr. Elbert sent for me to kill a hog for him but had left for Groom’s. IMG 184 November 8th 1850 Friday – Clear in the forenoon and cool, but not so cold as it was the two mornings preceding this morning. Quite warm and pleasant in the middle of the day. In the afternoon late it clouded up some and looked like it would storm soon again, quite calm in the evening. Pulled and hauled corn off the stalks for Groom. Some wind from the northwest in the forenoon and a part of the afternoon, but it was not strong or cold. I worked by myself all day. Mrs. Brown made some pumpkin butter. November 9th 1850 Saturday – Cloudy all day, wind from the south. In the afternoon it sprinkled a little and looked like it would rain considerable, but it did not rain any. I remained at home in the forenoon E. Wilson and Groom were at my house to look over the school paper in the forenoon. I worked for H. Chaffee in the afternoon. I husked some corn in the morning for myself that I had pulled and throwed in my shed at home. I assisted H. Richison to haul corn and fodder for Chaffee. It looked like raining at dark, calm at dusk. EH Brown Esq. IMG 185 November 10th 1850 Sunday – Cloudy and quite smoky, Calm all day. I remained at home all day. Mrs. Brown and Calvin went down to the garden in the morning for some parsnips for dinner. It sprinkled a little about dark, looked very much like it had set in for a long rain. A little wind from the south at dark. November 11th 1850 Monday – Clear but very smoky, the sun did not shine, so it could see it until about 10 o’clock AM. I was quite pleasant all day, calm all day. Dr. Elbert came for me before daylight to set out or transplant some peach trees for him. I went and worked at the trees by myself. I had it give out at the District School that I would have a spelling school at the schoolhouse at night. I went but there were not enough to do anything at spelling so I returned home. After I came home from Elbert’s I killed my sow that I had up in a pen at home. I boarded myself while I worked for Elbert today. E.H. Brown. IMG 186 November 12th 1850 Tuesday – Clear and quite pleasant a while, frost in the morning but it was cold after the sun arose. I transplanted fruit trees for Dr. Elbert, also Mr. Osborn assisted. It was quite calm all day. We set some apple trees in the old apple orchard first thing . . . in the morning, then we set cherry trees, then plum. I went over to Mr. Mowne’s in the evening to a corn husking. Several of the neighbors were present. We husked until ˝ past 8 o’clock PM, then took supper, then husked until 10 o’clock PM. November 13th 1850 Wednesday – Clear in the morning, remained so until in the afternoon, then became some cloudy but the sun set clear. I husked corn for Groom or rather pulled it. We (Groom and I) killed a hog for Mr. Groom in the morning first thing. I held a spelling school at the schoolhouse in the evening at early candlelight, a tolerably good turnout for the first school. Dr. Elbert started to Ohio this morning by water. IMG 187 November 14th 1850 Thursday – Clear and very pleasant, it sprinkled a little in the night sometime but not enough to do any good. Some wind in the afternoon from the northwest, it was quite calm in the morning. I pulled and hauled some for Groom, Ellis, Barker helped me a part of the day. Mrs. Brown called on Mrs. Groom in the afternoon. Thomas Groom stayed over night with Calvin (my son). The wind blew quite hard after dark. W.V. Wilson was married this day to Miss Mary Powell. November 15th 1850 Friday – Cloudy and quite cold, with a raw northwest wind. About 9 o’clock AM it began to snow, being the first snow that has fallen this fall and snowed quite fast until the ground was quite white. It was very windy and cold all day, also cloudy. I husked corn for Groom. I found it quite disagreeable gathering corn. I hauled in some corn that I pulled yesterday. The sun set clear. IMG 188 November 16th 1850 Saturday – Some cloudy all day, a cold wind from the north, some flakes of snow fell in the morning and it looked as if it might snow considerably. I went down to Pittsburg in the forenoon to see McDonald. I returned about 3 o’clock PM. After I got my dinner I daubed up some holes in my house and banked it up. Quite cold all day the ground froze quite hard last night. I walked to Pittsburg. November 17th 1850 Sunday – Clear and quite cold in the morning, some wind from the south. After the sun arose some two or three hours, it began to get warmer and thaw a little. I wrote a letter to my father and wrote some school business. Quite pleasant in the evening to what it was been a few days back. I remained at home all day. Several persons called at the office during the day. Quite calm in the evening. All well EH Brown IMG 189 November 18th 1850 Monday – Clear and pleasant after the day sun got up an hour or two, quite frosty in the morning, wind from the northwest. I husked corn for Mr. Groom. Ellis, Barker worked with me. Groom came into the field in the afternoon a little before night and helped us to husk a round. I went up to the school in the evening to have a spelling school but a few only came, so we had none. November 19th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy and quite cool in the morning, considerably of wind from the northwest. It remained cloudy until about 10 o’clock AM. It then cleared off and was quite pleasant. I husked corn for Groom in the forenoon. In the afternoon we (Groom and I) hauled wood. I cut the wood and Groom hauled it. We hauled one load apiece. I husked some corn and shelled it for myself. I had it husked and put in my kitchen. Dr. Elbert and Hitt returned from Mo. in the afternoon. IMG 190 November 20th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy and looked like storming in the morning, but it cleared off by 10 o’clock AM. The wind blew from the north and it was quite cold and hard. I helped Groom to thrash wheat with horses. Groom did not help me much on account of the dust, which hurt his breast. We worked or used six horses. The grain was quite dusty. Groom and I came down to the schoolhouse for the purpose of fixing up some of the seats and having a spelling school but no person came, so we fixed the seats and left. November 21st 1850 Thursday – Cloudy most of the day with a high east wind, which blew quite hard all day. It looked like storming very much in the morning and afternoon. I helped Groom to tramp out wheat. We finished the wheat before night. I banked up the wheat to clean it tomorrow. About 7 o’clock it began to storm but it only lasted a few minutes. I think it was rain that fell but continued cloudy. IMG 191 November 22nd 1850 Friday – The ground was covered with snow, about 3 inches deep in the morning but it was thawing quite fast and continued to thaw all day, wind from the north but it did not blow strong. By night the road where it was traveled the snow was all off and muddy. I helped Groom to clean up wheat and shell some corn for bread. I helped Leroy Elbert to put his and my calves in the stalk field in the morning early. November 23rd 1850 Saturday – Clear and pleasant, quite warm all day, the snow melted most all off. The roads were quite muddy, some wind from the south. I went to Mill with Groom’s team. I took some corn for myself and some wheat for Groom. I took the corn to Scots Mill and the wheat to the water mill at Keosauqua. Mr. Groom went to Keosauqua with me. We got home by dark. I did not get my grain ground. We went by Pittsburg. Miss Clarke and Miss Benton came with as far as Pittsburg from Keosauqua as we returned home. IMG 192 November 24th 1850 Sunday – Clear in the forenoon but became cloudy in the afternoon, looked very much like raining in a few days, wind from the south, quite warm all day. I wrote a letter to my brother in Minnesota in the morning. Mr. Groom came to the office in the evening and took supper with us. He stayed until late in the afternoon. The snow . . . all disappeared before night where the sun shone. Several persons called at the office through the day. Quite warm in the afternoon the wind did not blow in the afternoon xx. Some smoky in the afternoon. November 25th 1850 Monday – Cloudy and looked like raining in the morning. It did rain a little in the night, quite smoky also. Wind from the south and blew quite hard in the forenoon. It was quite dark all day. I did not go from home until late, about 9 o’clock AM. I went up Groom’s and husked shock corn. I husked my fodder. I did not feel well all day. One of Zuck girls stayed over with us, she came from school with our boys. I did not get home until quite late after dark. Mrs. Brown and Robert were quite unwell. IMG 193 November 26th 1850 Tuesday – Quite cloudy and damp, looked like raining, wind from the northeast. It began to rain a lot half-past 11 o’clock AM and rained all evening. I husked corn for Groom. Groom worked with me, we husked a load for Wm. Cantril. We did not get it to him on account of the rain. The Rev. Coleman called to see me in the afternoon. The roads were quite muddy and bad to be traveled on. I returned home by 1 o’clock PM from Groom’s. Groom came down to Chaffee’s with me. November 27th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy and misty in the morning. I went up to work for Groom. Groom and I took a load of corn up to Cantril’s store first thing in the morning, began to rain while we were there. After we returned, I took the team and went to mill for Groom. I went to Scott’s Mill first for some corn meal, then to Keosauqua for flour. It rained very hard while I was gone. The roads were horrible muddy. I got home by dark. I took four horses to mill. IMG 194 November 28th 1850 Thursday – Cloudy and cold, wind and freezing. Wind from the west and blew harder than it has this fall before. The wind blew until after night. I did not work any save a little for myself. The mail did not come up today on account of the Des Moines River be high. Dr. Elbert called in the evening and set and talked awhile. November 29th 1850 Friday – Quite cold and blew in the morning. The ground was froze quite hard in the morning. I husked and hauled corn for Groom. I husked in the forenoon and some in the afternoon but hauled most of the afternoon. The wind blew quite hard most of the day from the west. The ground thawed out before night and was very muddy and sloppy in the field. As I came home I stopped in Mr. Chaffee’s Shop and talked with them awhile. My wife washed today and she was not very well. Looked some like storming soon in the evening. Looked like snow. Edward H. Brown. IMG 195 November 30th 1850 Saturday – Clear and very pleasant all day. The ground was not froze much this morning, quite calm all day. In the afternoon it showed some sign of a change in . . . the weather soon, quite dark in the evening. I husked corn for Mr. Groom. Groom worked with me most the time. I bought a load of corn of Groom and brought it home in the afternoon late with Mr. Groom’s team. It was sometime after dark before I returned home after taking the team home. Groom came down to Spain’s as I returned home. The mail was very full today owing to its not coming up on Thursday. My son Calvin spent most of the day at Groom’s with Thomas Groom at play. Mrs. Brown sent the children over to A. Spain’s in the evening for an old chicken cock of ours that stayed over there and killed him for dinner tomorrow after the boys got him home. I did not go to bed tonight as usual. I got some new papers by this day’s mail. EH Brown. IMG 196 December 1st 1850 Sunday – Raining, began to rain some time in the night and rained quite until morning; wind from the northeast. It rained until about noon when it stopped raining but did not clear off; very cloudy all day. I remained at home all day. Mr. Chaffee, Groom, Taylor, and others called at the office. Miss S. Spain called in the afternoon. Mrs. Brown’s health is poor today. December 2nd 1850 Monday – Cloudy and look very much like raining in the morning early. I went up to Mr. Groom’s to work for him. It began to rain as I got the team out, but I went on to the field to husking corn. I did not husk one stack before it rained so hard that I quit and came home. It began to sleet and snow about noon. It blew and snowed terribly in the afternoon. The wind was from the north. I think it was as bad a day as I have seen for some years. I visited the school in the forenoon and bound some of my Prairie Farmers and Ladies’ Repository. IMG 197 December 3rd 1850 Tuesday – Clear and very cold, wind from the north and blew quite hard and cold most of the day. The ground was froze considerably in the morning but not hard enough to bear up a man. It began to freeze very fast in the afternoon late. By night it was quite cold and freezing quite hard. Mr. Groom came by in the forenoon about 11 o’clock with his team to haul a load of wood for himself. I went with him and chopped a load for him and one for myself but it was too late when we got in with his load to go for mine. Mr. Groom had some friends to call on him from Ohio. The roads were quite bad to travel. The mail came up on horseback by Mr. Sheppard the mail contractor. He stopped some time to warm himself. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. I did not do any work but help Groom to haul a load of wood and bring some straw from Groom’s for my pigs in the afternoon. IMG 198 December 4th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy and very cold, with a cold north wind in the morning. About 8 o’clock AM I went up to Groom’s for his team to haul me a load of wood. While I was getting to team it began to snow and continued to snow quite fast until most noon. I . . . think it moderated some after it began to snow but it was cloudy and quite cold all day. Some fine snow fell all the afternoon. I went for a load of wood and found the road desperately rough and bad to travel with a team. I returned by noon and then hauled a load of fodder from Groom’s for my cow on Groom’s sled. I took supper with Groom I assisted Groom to feed his stock before I returned home. The mail did not get down until late in the afternoon. It did not stop at my office. I gave the mail carrier my mail matter so he need not stop, as it was late and cold. It began to snow a little after dark and snowed quite fast until after 9 o’clock (how much longer I do not know) the wind continued to blow very hard also. EH Brown. IMG 199 December 5th 1850 Thursday – Clear and very cold, wind from the north. The wind blew very hard all day. Dr. Elbert called early in the morning for me to work for him but I could not do so. I did not do anything today but cut my firewood and wend up to Brook’s store in the afternoon. Mr. Taylor called in the evening to tell me that Mr. Chaffee had bought the stable that belonged to the Parsonage. December 6th 1850 Friday – Cloudy most of the day. The sun shone out some about noon for a short time. Clouded up in the afternoon and snowed some. A fine snow fell all day. After breakfast I started up to Groom’s. I stopped at Chaffee’s Shop as I was going. While I was there Groom came for me to assist him some. Groom and I went up to Brook’s store in the forenoon. I wanted to get a pair of boots. I did not get them. I hauled a load of wood for Groom in the afternoon on his sled with four horses; quite late when I got home. IMG 200 December 7th 1850 Saturday – Clear and very cold, wind from the north and very high and cold. I think it moderated a little in the afternoon. The wind did not blow as hard in the afternoon late as it did in the forenoon. By 9 o’clock PM the wind had ceased entirely. I did not leave home until after the mail came up. Then I went up to Groom’s and hauled some fodder and corn. Then we tramped two floors of oats with the horses. Mr. George English one of my schoolmates in Ohio called to see me in the morning. Mr. Mowne [Mowen] and Rev Wright called in the evening to see me. I sold Mr. Wright some of my books to pay what I owed him. I let Mr. Taylor have three bushels of corn out of Mr. Groom’s crib to pay him for a day’s work that he done for me at husking corn in Dr. Elbert’s field in Oct. last. I did not feel as well in the evening as usual. I had taken cold. Mrs. Brown borrowed some meat of Mr. Mowne. Mrs. Brown done some washing for herself. The mail came up about 10 o’clock AM on horseback. IMG 201 December 8th 1850 Sunday – Clear and very cold, wind from the south and blew quite hard all day. Several persons called in through the day. Mr. English called in the forenoon. I wrote . . . a letter to Mr. Raymond Ind. I walked up to Mr. Mull’s in the evening. I borrowed a book of Mull. December 9th 1850 Monday – Clear and windy, wind from the northwest and blew very hard all day. It was not very cold, it thawed considerable on the south side of the roofs of houses. The wind continued to blow until late after night. I assisted Groom to thrash oats with his horses. Groom shot a coon and gave it to me after he skinned. I brought it home to eat. Miss Zuck had a spelling school in the evening and I went. A good many of the scholars were out and behaved quite well. We held the school quite late. Mr. Chaffee moved his stable away that he bought of M.E. Church. IMG 202 December 10th 1850 Tuesday – Clear and pleasant wind from the northwest. Thawed the snow on the roofs so that the water run off considerable. I worked for Groom. I thrashed oats with his horses. After I came home I wrote a letter the editor of the Prairie Farmer. Mrs. Brown was not very well. The mail was very heavy today. Miss Powell called in to see Mrs. Brown in the forenoon. EH Brown. December 11th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and quite warm, thawed very much, the roads were quite muddy. Some wind from the northwest. I worked for Groom. Old Mrs. Mull visited Mrs. Brown today. The school directors intended to meet tonight but George Clarke preached at the schoolhouse and Hogue did not come up. Groom and I went up to Dr. Elbert’s but we did not do anything. I wrote a letter to the P. Master at Keosauqua in the morning before breakfast. I took breakfast at home this morning. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. IMG 203 December 12th 1850 Thursday – Cloudy in the morning, looked very much like snowing. Wind from the north. About 10 o’clock AM the sun shone out a little, by 2 o’clock PM it was clear and quite cold. The wind blew very hard and cold all day. Some cloudy about sunset. I worked from Groom. Groom and I husked corn until noon. We found it too cold to husk so we cleaned up oats in the afternoon. Groom and went to the schoolhouse in the evening with the expectation of meeting the school directors to settle some business but they did not come. We returned. December 13th 1850 Friday – Clear and very cold in the morning, wind from the north in the morning early but it turned to the south by noon. I worked for Groom till noon. We cleaned oats in the afternoon. We hauled some fodder for Groom and myself in the sleds. Thawed some little. Dr. Elbert extracted two teeth from Mrs. Brown in the morning. She was quite unwell all day. Miss Zuck held a spelling school in the evening. I went. IMG 204 December 14th 1850 Saturday – Clear and very pleasant all day, wind from the southwest. It thawed very much in the afternoon. I stayed at home until after the mail passes up. Before the mail came I went up to Mr. James Mowne’s and sold him my wild hog that was running at large with other hogs. I assisted him to catch it and put it in a pen. I then went up to Groom’s and hauled rails on the sled with four horses for a cross fence on his farm. We moved an old fence to another place. I sold my plow to Mr. Bonner in the morning. December 15th 1850 Sunday – Some cloudy and smoky or hazy. The ground was froze quite hard in the morning but it was quite pleasant, quite calm all day. Mrs. James Mowne [Mowen] and Mr. Groom took dinner with us. We had a fine raccoon roast for dinner. George McKinry called in the afternoon. It thawed considerably through the day. Remained cloudy all day. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. IMG 205 December 16th 1850 Monday – Cloudy and stormed considerably in the night, the ground was covered with snow. wind from the north and blew quite hard in the night, but layed as the sun arose. Some wind from the north all day. It did not thaw any but the snow was quite damp all day. The roads were very slippery on account of the snow being wet. I went up to Groom’s after breakfast to work, but as I had poor shoes, I did not work. I went to see H. Richison about making me a pair but we could not trade, so I went and bought a pair of boots of Mr. Taylor. I went out to the field in the afternoon to look after my calves. I went to the District School and spent the balance of the afternoon. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. Looked very much like storming in the evening about 9 o’clock. I returned Mrs. Taylor some butter for some candles that we borrowed sometime ago. IMG 206 December 17th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy all day, some little wind from the southwest. Quite pleasant for business. The snow was a little damp and heavy. I worked for Groom. I hauled rails in the forenoon for to finish a cross fence. In the afternoon I husked corn in the stack by myself. I received a letter from my brother John in Ohio. It was quite late when I returned home. Had the appearance of raining soon all day. December 18th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy all day and began to storm in the afternoon, but it did not last long. Looked some like storming all day, wind from the northeast but it did not blow much. It began to storm about dark but it was fine snow and did not fall fast. The snow was damp and heavy all day. I helped Groom to shoe his sled in the morning then we hauled a load of wood apiece and caught some hogs at Chaffee’s that belonged to Groom. We hauled them home in his wagon. I attended Miss Zuck’s spelling school in the evening, a good turnout. IMG 207 December 19th 1850 Thursday – Cloudy all day, not very cold or warm. It did not thaw any. Some wind from the northwest. Had the appearance of snowing all day but it did not storm any. I went up to Groom’s and he and I fixed up his old sled and went down on Brook’s land for stone to wall a well. We both quarried all day and brought a load home with us at night. Mrs. Brown washed. December 20th 1850 Friday – Cloudy until about 10 o’clock AM, quite cool in the morning early some wind from the west. After it cleared off it was quite pleasant, thawed some in the roads. I quarried rock for Groom. Groom hauled two loads home and several up on the hill from the quarry. I attended a spelling school at our Schoolhouse but their were out but we spelled some. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. Quite calm after sundown. No school yesterday in our school house. EH Brown IMG 208 December 21st 1850 Saturday – Clear quite cool in the morning. After the sun arose it began to thaw and by 2 o’clock PM it was quite muddy. The snow most all disappeared, considerable wind from the south. I husked corn for Groom. Groom hauled stone for his well. He hauled all the stone that was quarried on the hill so he could get at them with his wagon. Groom hauled in the corn in the evening that I husked. December 22nd 1850 Sunday – clear with a strong northwest wind, which made it some cooler than it would have been if it had been calm. The wind blew very hard all day and until late in the night. The ground thawed some but it began to freeze sometime before night. Mr. N. Warner came to the office in the forenoon and set some time with us. Messrs. Chaffee and Richison called in the afternoon I remained at home all day and spent the day in reading. EH Brown. IMG 209 December 23rd 1850 Monday – Clear and quite cold in the morning early, with a cold northwest wind. The wind did not blow strong and it layed as the sun set. Thawed but little through the day. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s corn (stalk) field in the morning before breakfast and brought my two calves home. My son Calvin went with me. After dinner I husked corn for Mr. Groom. I attended Miss Zuch’s spelling school in the evening. December 24th 1850 Tuesday – Cloudy all day with strong south wind. The wind worked around to the west by night. Thawed some, looked like storming soon. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the morning to work for him but he thought we had better get wood for ourselves so we done so. We hauled a load apiece. I wrote a letter to the Post Office Department in the evening. Mrs. Brown got a gallon of molasses of Mr. Chaffee and baked some cakes for Calvin to take to school tomorrow for the Christmas school dinner. She baked the cakes in the evening. IMG 210 December 25th 1850 Wednesday – Clear and quite cold in the morning. The wind from the northwest and it was quite cool. I husked corn for Groom in the morning. In the afternoon Groom and I attended a Christmas supper at the schoolhouse in Mechanicsburgh. Groom did not wait for the supper but returned home. I held a spelling school in the evening in the same schoolhouse. Thawed some through the day. December 26th 1850 Thursday – Clear and quite pleasant. Some wind from the northwest. It did not thaw much. I assisted Groom to butcher his hogs. Mr. Spain assisted also. We finished killing and salting a little before sundown. I bought one hog of Groom and cut it up at Groom’s and brought it home in his wagon. I salted it up after night. Mr. Spain killed one hog at Groom’s for himself, cut it up and brought it home also when I brought mine. Quite calm in the evening. EH Brown. IMG 211 December 27th 1850 Friday – Cloudy most all day. Strong wind from the north. Did not thaw but little. Hauled rock for Mr. Groom to wall a well with. As I went for the second load I helped David Bink up the hill by Mr. Smart’s with a load of rails. I put four horses to his wagon and kept one yoke of his oxen to the wagon also. He had three yoke of oxen but they would not pull. I came by Mr. Davidson’s for a well tub for Groom. December 28th 1850 Saturday – Cloudy and very cold all day. The wind began to blow from the north soon after the sun arose and continued to blow very hard until late after night. I husked corn for Mr. G. Osborn in the forenoon. In the afternoon I helped him to haul some wood and corn fodder. I returned home, cut wood to use over Sunday, then went up to Groom’s for his team and hauled a load of fodder for myself in his sled. Quite late in the evening when I got home. I hauled some rails from Mr. Taylor’s for the purpose of making a pigpen. I returned the team after night. IMG 212 December 29th 1850 Sunday – Cloudy and very cold, wind from the north. It tried to snow a little in the morning but it was too cold to make it go off. I wrote a letter to the publisher of the Albany Cultivator, Albany, New York. Mr. Mowne [Mowen] called in about noon and set some time. It remained cloudy all day. The wind did not blow much in the afternoon. I remained at home all day. EH Brown. December 30th 1850 Monday – Cloudy all day, wind from the south. It was very cold all day. It snowed some in the morning but it too cold to snow much. It moderated some about noon, the wind did not blow as hard in the afternoon as it did in the morning. I worked for Groom. We tramped oats. Groom worked with me. Miss Zuck took supper with Mrs. Brown. We intended to have commenced digging a well for Mr. Groom but it was too cold to work at it. Miss Zuck held a spelling school and my son Calvin went. Mr. Warner called at the office in the evening and set awhile with us. I made out my returns to the Post Office Department at night. IMG 213 December 31st 1850 Tuesday – Clear and quite pleasant, some wind from the south. Thawed a little. I remained at [home?] until after the mail came. I then went up to Mr. H. Richison’s to see him about postage. I stopped at Groom’s and worked for him until about 3 o’clock PM when I became unwell and returned home. We commenced a well at the barn for Groom. Mr. A Spain called in the evening to settle our postage business. He returned late. January 1st 1851 Wednesday – Clear and quite cool in the morning, wind from the northwest. It was quite pleasant after the sun arose but the wind was quite cold all day. It did not thaw much. The wind was considerable strong all day. I worked for Groom, we dug in the well. Groom worked some but was not very well. I went over to James Mowne’s to get him to work for me tomorrow. EH Brown IMG 214 January 2nd 1851 Thursday – Clear in the morning and had every appearance of being a fine day, but after the [sun] arose awhile it began to cloud some and the wind began to blow from the south, quite cool also. It was cold all day, it did not thaw much where the wind had access. The wind turned into the northwest by sundown. Mr. James Mowne [Mowen] worked for me and we both worked for Mr. Groom, we dug in his well. The board of School Directors met at the schoolhouse in the evening to attend to some business relative to E. Wilson’s miss-management with the tax last year. It was quite late when we got through. Miss A. Zuck went up to Mr. Groom’s in the evening to stay overnight with them. Mr. Groom was with us (the School Directors) at the school house in Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Brown washed today. Miss Maria McKinny was at our house today. IMG 215 January 3rd 1851 Friday – Cloudy until about 10 o’clock AM and looked very much like snow, a little snow did fall but it was only a few flakes. The wind was from the West or rather Northwest and was quite cold all day. Clear in the afternoon. James Mowne [Mowen] worked for me and we worked for Groom. We finished digging the well by noon. In the afternoon we walled. Rev S. Clarke preached in the schoolhouse in the evening but I did not attend. Dr. Elbert called a few minutes in the evening. Mrs. Brown called over to Mowne’s in the evening. Mrs. Taylor called in today a few minutes. January 4th 1851 Saturday – Clear and pleasant wind from the west. It thawed some where the sun had full power. I helped Groom a while in the morning to wall his well. About 9 o’clock AM Mr. A. Spain took my place at the well. I took the team and quarried and hauled a load of stone for the well. Mr. Groom called at the office in the evening. IMG 216 January 5th Sunday – Clear and very warm for the time of year. It thawed considerably and was quite calm all day. I made my quarterly returns to the Post Office Department. I walked up to Mr. Taylor’s in the afternoon about sunset and set sometime talking and eating hickory nuts with them. Mrs. Brown was not very well today. She returned soon. January 6th 1851 Monday – Clear and quite warm some wind from the south. About 9 o’clock AM it looked like it would be cloudy but in a few minutes it cleared off and was a very fine day. It thawed considerably and began to freeze before night. I went over to Jacob Smith, Bonner’s, and to Keosauqua trying to collect some school tax. I intended to have returned the list of delinquents to the officer, but the officer was too busy to attend to it. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s after supper to see him about his tax. I rode Mr. Groom’s old tib mare. Mr. Groom went with me. I was quite late when we got home. I had no dinner. IMG 217 January 7th 1851 Tuesday – clear and very warm, some wind from the southeast. It thawed considerably. The roads were quite muddy and sloppy. It became a little cloudy about the middle of the afternoon. By dark it was very cloudy and the wind began to blow and it had every appearance of storming before morning. I worked for Mr. Groom. Groom and I quarried rock for his well and hauled one load home in the afternoon, as we returned home. It was quite late when I got home from Mr. Groom’s. I wrote a letter to the editor of the Prairie Farmer in the evening after I returned home. Mrs. Brown was not very well in the evening. It began to freeze some about sunset. Calvin went to a spelling school in the evening. January 8th 1851 Wednesday – Cloudy and began to rain soon after daylight. It rained quite hard until about 10 o’clock AM, when the sun shone out and looked as if it was going to clear off, but it soon began to rain and rained very hard until about 4 o’clock PM, it stopped raining but remained very cloudy. The wind was from the southeast and blew quite hard all day. IMG 218 January 8th continued I went up to Mr. Groom’s early in the morning to assist him to wall his well but we had to quit it about 10 o’clock on account of the rain. I then took the team and sled and hauled myself a load of fodder. I got quite wet while I was getting the fodder. After I returned the team I bound some of my Agricultural papers. By night it was very wet and muddy. I borrowed an awl of Mr. Mowne [Mowen] to make holes through my books. January 9th 1851 Thursday – Cloudy all day, strong wind from the northwest all day and quite cold. Began to snow in the morning, but did not snow much, not enough to make the grounds white. I was freezing all day also. I remained at home all day. I transcribed a delinquent tax list for the district and wrote a letter to my brother John in Ohio. I . . . chopped some wood for myself. The roads were very muddy in the morning but by night it was not so bad to walk as it was in the morning. Mr. Taylor called in the morning at the office. Not much mail today. I went up to see Dr. Elbert in the afternoon but he was not at home. I returned home immediately. IMG 219 January 10th 1851 Friday – Cloudy until about 10 o’clock AM and quite cool. The ground was froze very hard. The wind blew very hard from the north all day and it was quite cool also. I [It] looked very much like storming in the morning for a while but after it cleared off it thawed very much indeed. I assisted Mr. Groom to wall his well until noon. Afternoon I took his team and hauled a load of stone for him from the quarry. The roads were very muddy and bad. Groom finished walling his well himself in the afternoon. Mrs. Brown washed and was quite unwell in the evening. January 11th 1851 Saturday – Clear and pleasant until noon. The afternoon was very cloudy and windy, wind from the southeast in the morning but in the afternoon it was from the northwest. It blew quite hard all day, but it blew much harder in the afternoon then in the forenoon. It was quite cold in the afternoon. I husked corn for Groom. Groom worked with me. We husked two loads and hauled it in. I received a letter from the Post Master in Bonaparte, Iowa. I answered it in the evening, after I returned home. It was very muddy in the afternoon. It thawed very much, cleared off after sundown. The wind continued to blow late in the night. IMG 220 January 12th 1851 Sunday – Cloudy and began to snow soon after daylight and snowed for some minutes quite fast, until the earth was white. The sun soon shone out and the snow vanished about as soon as it came. It was very fine after it cleared off. Some wind from the northwest. The ground was frozen in the morning but it thawed and by noon was very muddy. I remained at home until late in the afternoon when I walked up to Mr. Mull’s and set until dark. Mr. Groom called at the office in the evening. January 13th 1851 Monday – Clear and quite warm, some wind from the south. It thawed more today then it has any other day this winter. The mud was quite deep. I husked corn for Mr. H. Richison. After I done my day’s work I went out in Groom’s cornfield and set up some fodder for myself that I husked on Saturday last and left the fodder laying in piles. Mrs. Richison was quite unwell all day. Mr. Richison had to do the housework. Mrs. Brown was quite sick in the afternoon and all night. It was quite late when I got home from work. IMG 221 January 14th 1851 Tuesday – Come cloudy about daybreak, but the sun shone all day. Wind from the south. The atmosphere felt damp all day and had some appearance of a change of weather soon. I husked corn for Mr. Richison. The wind changed in the evening to . . . the northwest. The ground was not froze any in the morning. The roads were quit muddy. Mrs. Brown was not very well all day. The mail came up by 11 o’clock AM. January 15th 1850 Wednesday – Cloudy all day and had every appearance of snow all day. The ground was froze a little in the morning but it thawed long before noon. Some wind from the northwest. It turned a little cooler in the afternoon then it was in the forenoon. I finished husking Mr. Richison’s corn about 9 o’clock AM. Then I went down to Groom’ barn and commenced thrashing oats with a flail for Richison. Mr. Richison worked with me in the afternoon. Mrs. Brown was not very well she had the toothache. Mr. David Bink called at the office in the evening. IMG 222 January 16th 1851 Thursday – Cloudy, windy and very cold all day. The wind was from the northwest, it blew very hard all day. It was one of coldest days that has been this winter. About 2 o’clock PM the sun shone out and shone some until it went down. I helped H. Richison to finish thrash and clean his oats in Groom’s barn. We finished sometime before night. Mrs. Brown was not very well. January 17th 1851 Friday – Clear windy and the coldest morning that we have had this winter thus far. The wind blew quite hard all night. It was from the northwest. The wind did not blow as hard in the afternoon as it did in the morning. I did not work for any person but I looked some for my white calf. It went off last night in the brush, I suppose to find shelter from the wind. As I came home I called in at Dr. Elbert’s and talked with him about our school business. I went down to Keosauqua in the afternoon to get counsel about collecting some school tax. I walked down. I went by Pittsburgh. It was after sundown before I left Keosauqua to return home. IMG 223 January 18th 1851 Saturday – Clear, windy and very cold all day. Wind from the south. Late in the afternoon it began to cloud up and had the appearance of storming soon. The wind blew very hard and cold all day. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s in the morning to get some instructions relative to collecting school tax. I gave Dr. Elbert two orders on the Treasurer of this District. I went up to Elbert’s after dinner to mark some calves and pigs for him but I had no help so I returned home. Mrs. Brown washed some. I remained at home in the afternoon. January 19th 1851 Sunday – Clear in the morning and very windy, wind from the south but it was not as cold as it was yesterday. The wind blew harder. A little after noon it began to cloud up. By night it was very cloudy and looked very much like storming. The wind blew very hard until quite late in the night. It thawed some. I remained at home all day. Mrs. Brown was not very well in the evening. Joseph Osborn called at the office in the morning. We did not get up very early this morning. IMG 224 January 20th 1851 Monday – Clear and very warm, to what it has been for a few days passed. Some wind from the south. Thawed considerably. The atmosphere seemed to be hazy and hollow. It what we sometime call weather breeders in this country. I went up to Mr. Groom’s after breakfast for his team to haul myself a load of wood. I assisted him to take off a floor of oats straw that was on the barn floor. Then I harnessed the team and went into the woods for some wood (Mr. Groom having stopped at Dr. Elbert’s on some business) while I was loading my wood Groom came to me. We both came home and got some dinner at my house and went back for a load for Groom. It was dark when we got home. I went up to the schoolhouse to attend a spelling school but few came so I returned home with out having any spelling. I called in at Mrs. Taylor’s as I returned from the schoolhouse for the purpose of getting Miss Power to solve a question for me. My son Calvin went up to Brook’s store with some eggs and traded them for writing paper for himself. Mrs. Brown was not very well all day. I called in at Dr. Elbert’s as I went for the first load of wood a few minutes. IMG 225 January 21st 1851 Tuesday – Cloudy all day, the sun shone dimly until about 10 o’clock AM, after that it was very cloudy. Wind from the south and had the appearance of storming in a day or two. The wind blew quite hard all day, the wind layed with the sun. I hauled a load of fodder in the forenoon with Mr. Groom’s team for myself. I helped Groom to clean oats from 11 o’clock AM until night. Thawed some little not so warm today as yesterday. January 22nd 1851 Wednesday – Clear and quite warm, with some wind from the northwest. I went up to Mr. Richison’s early in the morning and settled with him for some work which I done for him sometime ago. I took corn for what he owed me. We measured it out for me and left it in his stable so I could get it when I chose. We made a mistake in the morning so I went back in the afternoon and rectified it. I helped Mr. Groom about an hour in the forenoon to clean up some oats. I shelled some corn in the evening for bread for myself. IMG 226 January 23rd 1851 Thursday – Clear and very pleasant, considerable wind from the south in the afternoon. Thawed considerably. I assisted Mr. Wourld in the forenoon to make a fence around Mr. Mowne’s house and lot for Dr. Elbert. We put the fence on Elbert’s land in order to make Mr. Mowne [Mowen] make a fence also on his land. I assisted Mr. Taylor to grind his axe on Mr. Chaffee’s grindstone and he (Mr. Taylor) assisted me to grind mine for helping him. Mrs. Inskip visited Mrs. Brown in the afternoon. She took supper with us. I shelled some corn in the evening for bread for myself. Dr. Elbert called a few minutes in the morning to look what repairs this house needs as he intends to repair it soon. Mr. Taylor came with him also. He is talking some of renting some land of Dr. Elbert for this coming season and intends to live in this house if Elbert repairs it. Today’s mail was the largest mail I opened in Iowa. I . . . husked some corn that I had in my old kitchen for bread in the afternoon. I was not very well. I had taken cold. Mrs. Brown felt quite smart all day. E.H. Brown. IMG 227 January 24th 1851 Friday – Clear and quite cold in the morning. The wind was from the northwest in the morning early. About 9 o’clock AM the wind shifted to the south and turned warmer immediately. The wind did not blow very hard from the south. The ground was frozen quite hard in the morning but it thawed before night. Dr. Elbert called in the morning early and got me to repair this (the one we are living in at present) house for him. I had to go and borrow tools of my neighbors to work with. I took up the old floor and throwed out the dirt and filth from between the sleepers first thing. Then I cut my lumber for the floor and got part of it laid by night. I was quite unwell all day. Mrs. Brown was not very well either. She washed her floor and churned in the forenoon. Mrs. Richison called a few minutes in the afternoon. The farmers are improving the time now while the roads are in good order by going to mill. A good many teams have passed yesterday and today. The roads are fine at present. Calvin did not go to school today. He helped me some. E. H. Brown IMG 228 January 25th 1851 Saturday – Clear and very pleasant some wind from the south. In the evening the atmosphere had the appearance of a change of weather soon. I received a letter from my brother John in Ohio by this day’s mail. Mr. Joseph McKenney and his wife, daughter and a young lady who was with them took dinner with us. They were going home from Pittsburgh, Iowa. I worked at the house (repairing the kitchen part of the house which we live in at present for Dr. Elbert) Mrs. Brown was quite unwell in the evening. She washed a little in the forenoon. Mrs. Mowne called a few moments in the morning. January 26th 1851 Sunday – Clear and pleasant some wind from the northwest. The ground was froze quite hard in the morning, but it thawed considerably through the day. The air was quite chilly in the afternoon late. I wrote a letter to the Hon. Henry Clay in the Senate requesting him to send me some public documents from Washington.7 Mrs. Sarah Hoskins called a few minutes in the afternoon to see Mrs. Brown. Mr. B. Powell called in the afternoon also. Mrs. Brown is not very well. _________________________ 7 Mr. Brown may have written Henry Clay (senator from Kentucky) on the issue of slavery since the Compromise of 1850 was a recent topic of discussion in Washington. The Compromise of 1850, “quieted the controversy between Northerners and Southerners over the expansion of slavery, and delayed secession and civil war for another decade.” Senator Henry S. Foote of Mississippi, later said, "Had there been one such man in the Congress of the United States as Henry Clay in 1860–'61 there would, I feel sure, have been no civil war." Wikepedia IMG 229 January 27th 1851 Monday – Cloudy and very damp, wind from the south and had every appearance of rain, began to rain about dark but did not rain much, although it looked as if it would be a long rain. I worked some at the kitchen part of this house, repairing it. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s in the morning to file my saw but he had no vice in his shop so I did not file it. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s in the afternoon and got some molasses and sugar of him. Mrs. Brown washed some in the forenoon. I was not very well. January 28th 1851 Tuesday – Cloudy and quite damp in the morning, wind from the northwest, some mist fell in the morning and it looked as if it would rain some soon after sunrise. It turned cold and began to snow, but it did not snow much, but the wind blew very hard all day and by night was very cold. I think it was one of the worst days that has been this winter. I helped to kill hogs for Dr. Elbert. I assisted to cut up the hogs in the afternoon late. Messrs. Scot, Tutewiller, and Wourld assisted to butcher. IMG 230 January 29th 1851 Wednesday – Clear, windy, and very cold. I think it was the coldest morning that has been this winter. Wind from the northwest and blew very hard and cold all day. It was too cold to work any, so I remained at home most of the day. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s a little while about noon and set and talked a while with Taylor, Groom, and Chaffee. I cut some wood for myself in the afternoon. Very cold in the afternoon. January 30th 1851 Thursday – Clear and the coldest day that has been this winter thus far. Wind from the northwest and very high and cold. Dr. Elbert came in my house before we had breakfast and requested me to go up to Mr. Osborn’s for John Spencer (junior). John came and he and Elbert made a bargain for some land (to rent) and this house for one year, from March next. Mr. Taylor called in also. After Dr. and Spencer concluded their bargain, they and Taylor walked up in the field to look at the meadow. I wrote a letter to Mr. J. A. Ford in Minn. Territory. Very cold all day. I borrowed some corn fodder of Mr. Mowne [Mowen] in the morning for my cattle. I was out of fodder. IMG 231 January 31st 1851 Friday – Cloudy, cold, and quite windy, wind from the southeast and looked some like storming. I went up to Mr. Groom’s after breakfast and helped him to start to mill. He took three sacks of corn for me. We put some fodder on the wagon for my cows today. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all night. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s shop in the afternoon to see him, but he was not in the shop. I picked up some shavings and returned home. Mr. Powell called at the office as he was returning home from Keosauqua. He set sometime with us. Mr. Groom returned from the mill in the afternoon, late, with a part of his and my grist. The wind continued to blew quite hard and cold until late in the night. The mail came down earlier than usual. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all day. I did not do anything all day, but cut my wood and keep fire up. Miss S. Spain and Miss J. Willy called at the office in the forenoon. Not as many teams on the road today as usual. E. H Brown. IMG 232 February 1st 1851 Saturday – Cloudy and quite moderate to what it has been for several days back, wind in the south. The ground was white with snow in the morning but wherever it was traveled any, the snow soon melted as it was quit damp anyway. Quite foggy and looked very much like storming soon. I hauled two loads of fodder from Groom’s with his team for myself. I remained at home until the mail passed up. I called to see Mr. H. Richison and I passed with the team for fodder. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all day. My son Calvin took his shoes up to Mr. Richison for him to mend them. He left them and returned home. I chopped my wood for Sunday in the afternoon late. February 2nd 1851 Sunday – Blew and very pleasant quite calm. The snow all disappeared where the sun could reach it. Dr. Elbert called in the afternoon late and set awhile, then left. Mr. Jas Mowne [James Mowen] called in awhile in the afternoon. I remained at home all day. Thawed considerably. Mrs. Brown quite unwell in the evening. Calm all day. IMG 233 February 3rd 1851 Monday – Clear and very pleasant, quite warm, some wind from the south. Thawed considerably. Dr. Elbert sent for me early in the morning to work for him. First thing we done was to mark some calves. Mr. Scott assisted me. I chopped wood at the house the rest of the day. I took dinner with the Drs. Mrs. Brown was unwell. February 4th 1851 Tuesday – Cloudy in the morning until about 9 o’clock A.M. The sun arose clear but it soon became cloudy and looked very much like snowing. It was quite fine after it cleared off. Some wind from the west. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell most of the day. Mrs. Spain called in in the evening and took supper with her. I chopped wood for Dr. Elbert at his house. In the evening I attended a debate at our schoolhouse. I attempted to make a speech on female education. Mr. Wallace Claffin opposed me. I came home and changed the mail when it came. It was quite late when our debate closed. IMG 234 February 5th 1851 Wednesday – Clear and windy, though quite warm for the time of year. Thawed considerably, wind from the west and quite high most of the day. It did not blow so hard in the afternoon late as it did in the morning. I went up and assisted Mr. Groom to load a load of oats and start to Church ville with it. I filled his straw rack with straw and watered his sheep after he got off. I called at Mr. Taylor’s a few minutes as I was going up to Dr. Elbert’s after dinner. I split wood for Elbert in the afternoon. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all day. February 6th 1851 Thursday – Clear and very warm all day for Feb., a little breeze from the south. I waited until after the mail passed up. Then I went up to Mr. Groom’s and cut some . . . wood for them. Groom was not at home. He was gone to Church Ville. I remained at home after I returned from Groom’s, Mrs. Brown being unwell. The Rev. Briggs preached at the schoolhouse in the evening. I did not go. My son Calvin went. IMG 235 February 7th 1851 Friday – Clear and very warm for Feb. some wind from the south. Thawed very much where there was any ice, the roads are very fine indeed being quite dusty. A great many people going to Mill with their grain and getting themselves plows at the same time at Bentonsport and other places. I went up to Mr. Groom’s in the morning before breakfast to cut some wood and do some feeding for him, as he was not at home. While I was gone, Dr. Elbert called to see me but did not wait till I returned home. After I got my breakfast went up to Elbert’s to see him. He set old man Byrons and myself to raising a stable on the lot where I live. We worked awhile by ourselves, but found it too heavy for us, so I got Taylor to assist us. He came about 11 o’clock AM. We got the stable up by sundown. Byrons took dinner with me. I lent Miss Power one of my Ladies’ Repository in the morning and took it to her as I went up to Elbert’s in the morning. Quite warm at night. My son Calvin went home with Tom Groom from school in the afternoon to stay over night. IMG 236 February 8th 1851 Saturday – Clear and warm, until about the middle of the afternoon, when the wind began to blow from the west and began to get colder at the same time. It clouded up also at or about the time the wind began to blow and the wind continued to blow quite hard until late at night. It was quite cool in the evening. The wind (or rather a breeze) was from the south in the morning. By noon it was quite calm. Dr. Elbert came to see me in the morning and employed me to lay the worm of a rail fence around a lot which he wished to fence for a stable lot. I had the rails to carry on my back from the road where the rails has been thrown. I was better then a half day at the worm. I went over to Mr. Keith’s in the afternoon for a crosscut saw for Dr. Elbert. I returned without it, it not being at Mr. Heitts. After I returned, I build myself a little lot in the lane to feed my cow and calves in. I put two logs in the stable which we raised yesterday for Elbert. I received my Cultivators from Albany NY by today’s mail. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all day. Mr. Groom returned from Church ville in the afternoon quit cloudy at sundown. A great many wagons passed returning from mill E.H. Brown. IMG 237 February 9th 1851 Sunday – Cloudy in the morning until near 11 o’clock AM. High wind from the north west and tolerably cold. It did not thaw much in the sun, not any in the shade. The wind continued to blow all night. By Monday morning it blew very hard and cold. I remained at home until late in the afternoon, when I walked up to Mr. Taylor’s and set a few minutes with them. Miss M.A. Scott called at the office and wrote a letter . . . while she was in. Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] and her son’s wife called in to see Mrs. Brown late in the afternoon. They did not stay long. February 10th 1851 Monday – Cloudy in the morning early, clear most of the day. The sun set under a cloud. The wind blew very hard all day from the north and it was very cold. The wind blew quite late after night. I hauled one load of rails from the timber for Dr. Elbert with his oxen (one yoke), and hauled the rails out of the road by Mowne’s well, and put them on the fence around my house. I called in at Mr. Taylor’s in the evening to change some money for the office, also at Mr. John Mowne’s [Mowen’s] house. Mr. Groom called in in the afternoon a few minutes. Mrs. Brown was quite unwell all day. IMG 238 February 11th 1851 Tuesday – Clear and very cold, wind from the N. West. The wind blew very hard most of the night but it fell a little before daybreak. It blew considerable all day but not so but what I could work very well. Dr. Elbert called while I was eating my breakfast to see me. I hauled rails from the timber for him with his ox team for the stable lot fence at my house. I hauled three loads. I received a letter from my brother John in Ohio by this day’s mail. Miss Mary A. Zuck called to see me late in the afternoon. John and Calvin went up to the debate in the evening held in our District School House in Mechanicsburg. February 12th 1851 Wednesday – Clear and very windy, wind from the south. The wind blew very hard all day, thawed considerably, quite cool in the morning. I hauled two loads of rails for Elbert in the forenoon. Scott used the team in the afternoon to haul wood for himself. I finished making the lot fence around my house in the afternoon. I was not well all day, Mrs. Brown [was] quite unwell also. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s in the afternoon and got some whiskey of him for medicine. IMG 239 February 13th 1851 Thursday – Cloudy all day, began to rain sometime before daylight and rained fast until about 8 o’clock AM. It then slacked a few minutes and began to snow quite fast but it only snowed a few minutes. It continued to drizzle all day. Wind from the south and blew hard all day. I remained at home most of the day. In the afternoon I went up to Groom’s for some corn. I carried a bushel home on my back in the ear. Mr. Taylor called in a few minutes in the forenoon. Mr. Greenberry Humphrey was married in the evening to Miss Salena Chaffee by the Rev Samuel Clarke. Mr. N. Mull and wife called in a few minutes in the evening as they were going to meeting (at the schoolhouse in Mechanicsburgh, IA). February 14th 1851 Friday – Raining in the morning but it soon turned to fine hail. About noon it hailed until the ground was white with hail or course snow. Wind from the northwest. I went up to Groom’s in the morning to get his team to go to Mill but it rained so I did not go. I pasted some pieces in my scrapbook. By night everything was covered with ice and it continued to sleet. I think it one of the worst days that we have had this winter. IMG 240 February 15th 1851 Saturday – Clear and very cold, high wind from the northwest, snow about an inch deep. It stormed most of the night. It was the worst night for stock that has been this winter. The wind blew very hard from the northwest, until just before sunset when it fell and was calm. I remained at home until in the afternoon. I went up to Harry Hichison and measured some corn for myself. I brought a bag full home with me. Mr. A. Brooks moved his house that he bought of A. Spain up to Pull Tail. He moved it with oxen on log runners. There were a good many men to help him with their oxen also. February 16th 1851 Sunday – Clear and very pleasant in the morning, quite calm. Thawed considerable. I wrote a letter to my brother John in Ohio. My son Calvin went up to the church to hear preaching at 11 o’clock AM. About 10 o’clock AM, the wind blew from the south, it fell as the sun went down. Mr. Taylor called in awhile in the afternoon. Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] called at the office and set awhile in the afternoon. I remained at home all day. Mrs. Brown felt better today then she has for some days previous. The snow melted in the road where it was traveled. IMG 241 February 17th 1851 Monday – Clear and pleasant, high wind from the south in the morning. It was quiet in the morning, by the middle of the afternoon the wind was from the northwest. The wind blew quite hard all day. Thawed very much, the roads were quite muddy. It looked some like a change of weather soon in the afternoon, sun set clear. I assisted Groom to tramp spring wheat. Calvin went to a spelling school in the evening at our schoolhouse in Mechanicsburgh. De Elbert called to see me in the morning but I had gone to Groom’s. February 18th 1851 Tuesday – Clear and very pleasant. The wind was from the northwest in the morning but it changed into the southeast about 10 o’clock AM. It thawed considerable, the roads were quite muddy. The wind blew considerably after it changed to the southeast. I tramped spring wheat for Mr. Groom. The grain was very dusty and disagreeable to work with. Mr. H. D. Richardson moved today, up to Bloomfield. The wind fell as the sun went down. The mail came up quite early this morning. Quite cold in the morning early. IMG 242 February 19th 1851 Wednesday – Cloudy, began to rain soon after daylight. It began quite moderate but shune by 9 o’clock AM. It was raining quite hard and continued to rain hard all day and quite late after night. The earth was covered with water, the hollows and drains were full of water by noon, the roads quite muddy, wind from the southeast. I . . . finished tramping Groom’s spring wheat by 4 o’clock PM. Groom and I intended to haul wood but the rain prevented us. Groom was not very well. E.H. Brown. February 20th 1851 Thursday – Cloudy and mist all day. Wind in the morning was from the northwest but by the middle of the afternoon it was from the northeast. I remained at home until the mail passes up. I went up to Groom’s to assist him to clean wheat but he was not at home. I cleaned the barn floor for cleaning then hauled some fodder, and the corn that I had in Richardson’s stable, home for my cow. A gentleman called to see me in the afternoon late about a mare that Mr. Inskip had last winter that has the big head. It began to rain quite hard soon after dark. I called and talked sometime with Mr. Chaffee in his shop in the afternoon. IMG 243 February 21st 1851 Friday – Cloudy until about the middle of the afternoon, when the sun shone out quite clear. The wind was from the northwest in the morning. By 4 o’clock PM the wind was from the south. The ground covered with snow in the morning but by noon the snow was all melted. It rained most all night last and just before daybreak it snowed a little. The roads are most impassable, a great deal of water is on the earth at this time. Mrs. Brown was taken sick soon after dark. The child was born by 12 o’clock PM. I went for Dr. Elbert but he had gone to Mr. Smart’s. I went down after him. It was raining very hard at the time. Mrs. N. Spain and Mrs. Taylor came in. I took Dr. Elbert’s horse for them. It was so muddy that they could not walk over. Mrs. Cooper come to nurse Mrs. Brown soon after breakfast. I went up to Brooks store in the AM. I laid the worm for a fence through the lot that fenced off sometime ago for a yard and garden to separate the garden from the horse yard in the afternoon. Mrs. Brown was as smart as could be expected. IMG 244 February 22nd 1851 Saturday – Clear and quite warm all day. The ground was froze in the morning but it soon thawed out wind from the southeast. I waited for the mail, then Groom hauled a load of wood. We divided it between us. I went over to McKinny’s in the afternoon for Mavik to nurse Mrs. Brown. It was sometime after dark before we got home. I then took Mrs. Cooper home. I had Groom’s horses. Elbert drew a tooth for Mrs. Brown. February 23rd 1851 Sunday – Some cloudy in the morning. I wrote a letter to my brother in law in Ohio and one to Howell in Keokuk, Iowa. Quite warm, some wind from the south. Mrs. Brown quite smart. The wind was from the northwest in the afternoon. Mrs. Groom, Mrs. Elbert, and Mrs. Inskip called in the afternoon to see Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Groom took dinner with us. Some cloudy all day. Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] called in the afternoon late. The roads were very muddy. I recorded some school business. IMG 245 February 24th 1851 Monday – Cloudy until about the middle of the afternoon. The wind was from the northwest in the morning, by 10 o’clock it was from the south, looked some like snow in the morning. Some little snow did fall once. I assisted Groom to clean wheat. I returned home about the middle of the afternoon. The roads are beginning to dry a little. Mrs. Brown was quite smart. She got up a few minutes. February 25th 1851 Tuesday – Cloudy all day, wind from the southeast. It blew quite hard in the evening. Looked some like rain in the evening also. I remained at home until the mail came, then I went up to Mr. Mull’s with Mr. Taylor for some fodder for himself. Mr. Taylor called a few minutes in my house before we went for the fodder. Mrs. Taylor called a few moments in the morning. Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] spent the afternoon with us, she took xxx. Lydia Zuck stayed overnight with us. I attended a debate at our district schoolhouse. Mrs. Brown was quite smart today. IMG 246 February 26th 1851 Wednesday – The wind early in the morning was from the south and quite cloudy also. About 8 o’clock AM the wind changed to the northwest and began to sprinkle a fine rain and began to get colder at the same time, by noon it began to hail a fine hail and freeze. By night it was very cold and the ground was white with hail and freezing very fast. The wind blew very hard and was quite uncomfortable to be out. I carried water in the morning to wash with. I remained at home until in the afternoon when I went up to Mr. Taylor’s and set a few moments. While I was there, I assisted Mrs. Taylor to bind a book for her. Mr. Groom called in the morning and set sometime talking with me. Mrs. Brown was quite smart. She got up and set up sometime. I assisted in getting dinner. Maria McKinny was washing. Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] (John Mowne’s wife) called in the morning and washed and dressed the baby. The mail came down sooner then common. I was on horseback. Calvin went to school in the forenoon. IMG 247 Thursday February 27th 1851 Cloudy all day and very windy. Wind from the north and very cold. The earth was froze quit hard, the roads were very rough. Dr. Elbert called in the morning and we held a school meeting. I recorded the business while I was writing. Messrs. Taylor, Groom, and Zuck called in at the office or to see me. Groom and I went for a load of wood about noon. We got our wood and as we were coming home by Mr. Zuck’s house one of our tires broke off of one of the hind wheels. We unloaded the wood and brought the wagon to Mr. Smart’s and left it. We stopped to warm with Smart. Mr. A. Brooks, A. Spain, and myself measured some corn land that E. Wilson tended for Dr. Elbert last year, quite late in the afternoon. Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] took supper with us. (Mrs. James Mowne) Miss M.A. Zuck came to stay of night with us. I was summoned to attend the court at Bloomfield next week for Dr. Elbert. Mr. J. Warner called in the evening at the office. IMG 248 February 28th 1851 Friday – Clear and very windy, wind from the west. Quite cold in the morning, began to thaw by 9 o’clock AM and thawed considerably. I went to Messrs. Mownes, Lewises, Osborns and Mr. Grooms trying to borrow a wagon to haul wood on for myself, but I could not get one. I took supper with Mr. Groom. I remained at home until late in the afternoon when I went over to Mr. Hayden’s to measure a piece of land for Dr. Elbert. Miss Power took supper with us. Mr. Groom went to Mill for himself and I. Mrs. Zuck called as she was going home from Groom’s. She stopped to stay over night with us. Mr. Groom took his wagon to the shop to get the wheel mended. I took a barrel over to Mrs. Spain’s to get ashes in it. The roads were very rough in the morning but it thawed so it got wore off some by the travel. I went up to Mr. Chaffee’s to get some molasses in the afternoon but I could not get any. He had sold out. E.H. Brown. IMG 249 March 1st 1851 Saturday – Began to snow soon after daylight and snowed about an hour, quite fast. The wind blew quite hard all day from the northwest. It was quite cold in the morning early. It cleared off about 9 o’clock AM and thawed considerable. The roads were very muddy by the middle of the afternoon. Dr. Elbert sent for me early in the morning. I went and returned home for breakfast. Groom and [I] hauled a load of wood apiece it was quite late when we got home with the last load. Groom took dinner with me. We both came to my house with the first load. No mail today. As Groom and [I] were going for the first load we stopped at my house and waited sometime for the mail. Groom was not very well. I had most of the chopping and lifting to do. Mrs. Brown was tolerably smart today. She was up most of the day. Maria McKinny washed some in the forenoon. Mrs. Zuck stayed over night with us. Not much traveling done today on this road. It was very rough in the morning early. EHB IMG 250 March 2nd 1851 Sunday – Cloudy all day wind from the northwest and blew quite hard and cold. Looked some like snow. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s early in the morning to see in reference to going up to Bloomfield on Monday. After I returned home, I went up to Mull’s and borrowed a horse of N. Mull and took Maria McKinny home. As I returned home I stopped at Mr. Groom’s and took dinner with them. I attended a prayer meeting in the church at 4 o’clock PM. I also heard Mr. Wright preach in the evening at the Church. Quite a number out. Monday 3rd 1851 Some cloudy in the morning and quite cold. I chopped wood in the morning early to do while I was up at Bloomfield. I went around the field, which Mr. Wilson had in corn the last year that he was on Dr. Elbert’s farm in company with N. Mull before we started to Bloomfield. I went up in Dr. Elbert’s carriage in company with John Spencer, Sen. and Dr. Elbert. IMG 251 Continued We started about 11 o’clock AM and got to Bloomfield by sundown. We stopped at Troy a few minutes as we passed up. We got dinner two miles beyond Troy. We stopped with Mr. Cobb in Bloomfield. Mr. Cobb keeps a good house. Dr. Elbert’s suit did not come on until Wednesday. The trial continued all day and continued Thursday all day and was not submitted to the jury until late in the afternoon on Friday. I came home on Thursday night for N. Mull who had returned home. I got home by 12 o’clock and arrived at Bloomfield on my returned by daylight Friday morning. Messrs. A. Spain, Spencer, S. Clarke and myself started home about 4 o’clock PM in Elbert’s carriage. We got to String Town by 7 o’clock and got supper. We got home by 10 o’clock. Mr. Spain left his horse for Dr. Elbert to ride home as he could not leave until the case was determined. A. Spain took Elbert’s seat in the carriage home. It was quite cold, cloudy, and windy before we got home. Got home safe. IMG 252 Continued The weather was changeable, sometime the wind was from the north, south, and northwest. Sometimes quite cold, other times warm. I left Mrs. Brown alone but she had company every day. Mrs. Taylor, Smart, Mull, and others called on her. Saturday 8th 1851 The ground was covered with snow, wind from the northwest and quite cold. I was not very well. I went up to Dr. Elbert’s about noon. Dr. Elbert returned about 3 o’clock PM. The snow soon melted off after the sun shone out and the ground thawed some. Clear all day. Sunday 9th 1851 Clear and pleasant, strong wind from the west. I went up to the chapel to hear S. Clarke preach at 11 o’clock AM. I called in a few minutes at Mr. Taylor’s. He was not at home. Mrs. Brown was not very well in the evening. There were a great many out to preaching. Prayer meeting at 4 o’clock PM. Preaching at candle light also. I did not attend. IMG 253 March 10th 1851 Monday – Clear and very warm high wind from the south. The ground was froze quite hard in the morning early. Thawed considerably in the course of the day. John Spencer called in the morning to see me about moving. Dr. Elbert called in the morning to see me; he gave me an order to Cantril’s store. I went up to the store returned by noon. I went down to see Elbert relative to the draft on the school fund commissioner. After dinner I went to see Jacob Smith Esq. about his school tax. I did not see home. I made some preparations for moving tomorrow. Preaching at 2 o’clock PM at the Chapel, also at night. I did not attend at 2 o’clock. Mrs. Brown washed some in the afternoon. I called at Mr. Groom’s as I went up to Cantril’s. I gave the treasurer an order on the commissioner for the school money. James Hogue is the treasurer for this School District this year. I attended meeting at the chapel in . . . the evening. Mr. Wright preached. The meeting lasted quite late in the evening. House full. IMG 254 Tuesday – Clear and very warm for the time, wind from the northwest. The wind blew some in the morning, early, but it did not blow much after 10 o’clock AM. I moved from Dr. Elbert’s house into Groom’s. I had Groom’s team. I finished by noon. I took dinner with Mrs. Groom. Mrs. Brown stopped at Groom’s as we came up and remained there until late in the afternoon. Mr. Moort moved into the house that I moved out of. Mrs. Spain and Mrs. Mowne [Mowen] called before we left. I went down for my chickens in the evening. I went up to the chapel to hear S. Clarke preach in the evening. Wednesday 12th 1851 Clear and very warm for the time. I went down in the morning early and fed my pigs at my old place. I assisted Groom to grind his axe in the forenoon. I got my bow up in the afternoon. I went to meeting in the evening at the chapel. Mr. Dean and D. Smith spoke. They spoke until very late in the evening. I got one bushel of corn of Groom in the afternoon. I wrote to Raymond in Ind. about moving. Mrs. Brown was not well in the evening. IMG 255 March 17th 1851 Monday – Clear and very windy, wind from the northwest and blew very hard all day and until after night sometime. The earth was covered with water in the morning but by evening it was most dry. The wind dried very fast. I assisted Groom to haul fodder out of the field where I want to sow oats. Groom helped me to haul my [fodder?] for helping him. Mrs. Brown and child was quite sick all day. The child was very sick in the evening. Groom to dinner with us, I took supper with Groom. Some little ice in the morning. The wind was quite cool. Tuesday 18th 1851 Clear and quite pleasant, some wind from the north, some little ice in places. I assisted Groom to finish hauling his corn and fodder out of the field, where I want to sow oats. After dinner we got some timber up to fix his well at his farm. Dr. Elbert called at Groom’s in the afternoon and he settled with Mary A. Zuck for teaching a district school for us. We did not do much after dinner. I went to Elbert’s in the evening for some medicine for our baby. I got some at Chaffee’s also. Our baby was very sick all day, very bad in the evening. IMG 256 March 19th 1851 Wednesday – Clear and very pleasant, some wind from the north in the morning early, by noon it was from the southeast. I hauled rails and wood for Dr. Elbert with Mr. Spain’s oxen. Isaac Spain assisted me with two loads. The roads were very muddy in the timber. Mrs. Brown and child were not very well. Mrs. Groom called a few minutes in the afternoon to see her. I stopped to see Miss Power as I returned home relative to teaching a school. Thursday 20th 1851 Clear in the morning, wind from the east. Quite warm all day. Clouded up in the afternoon and began to rain about 4 o’clock PM and wind steady and slow until after night. I sowed grass seed for Groom in the morning. Groom worked with me. After dinner we fixed his well at the barn. Groom got several of his neighbors to help to put the seep up. We finished fixing the well by night. Mrs. Brown washed some. Child quite unwell in the evening. Wind high in the evening. I got a bushel of corn of Groom and carried it home on my back. IMG 257 March 21st 1851 Friday – Began to rain about daylight and rained very hard until noon. Wind from the southeast. The wind blew very hard all day and late in the evening. Quite cold all day. The sun shone a few minutes about 10 o’clock PM. Afterwards clouded again and remained so all the afternoon. Looked very much like rain all the afternoon. I remained at home all day, save a few minutes in the afternoon, while I was over to Philemon Warren’s. Mr. Groom called a few minutes about noon at the office. It began to rain again about sunset and rained quite hard until late in the evening, wind blew very hard. Saturday 22nd Rained until noon, then began to snow, snowed quite hard for sometime but it melted as fast as it fell. Wind from the east in the morning. In the afternoon it was from the north. Very cold all day. The wind blew quite hard all day. I stayed at home all day. The roads are quite muddy. The mail came up on horseback. Cloudy all day, quite cold in the evening. All well E.H. Brown IMG 258 March 23rd 1851 Sunday – Clear and very pleasant, wind from the north. The mud dried very fast. The wind blew quite hard. The top of the ground was froze a little. Everything was white with frost. I went up class meeting at 10 o’clock AM and Sunday school at 2 o’clock PM. Mrs. P. Warner called in a few minutes in the afternoon to see Mrs. Brown. There were but few out at Sunday School. Monday 24th 1851 Clear and very warm for the time of year. The wind was from the north in the morning but it changed into the south by noon. I and Groom hauled wood for ourselves. We hauled one load each and got some elm trees for Groom as we returned with the last load. Quite late when I got home from Groom’s. Joseph McKinny called as he was passing. The roads were very bad in the timber and in places on the prairie. I called in Mr. A Spain’s as I came home with the last load. looked some like raining soon. E H. Brown. IMG 259 March 25th 1851 Tuesday – Clear and very warm all day. The wind from the south. In the afternoon it looked some like raining soon. The wind blew quite hard in the evening and was cloudy. I assisted Groom to set out some elm trees and fix up his well at the barn. We set some trees at my house in the afternoon late. Our baby was not very well all day. The roads out in the timber back of Galbreth’s were almost impassable. We went out there for some trees with the wagon. E.H. Brown Wednesday March 26th 1851 Clear and very windy wind from the south. I set out some crab trees in the morning, then I went to Keosauqua on business. I rode Groom’s horse. A gentleman from Ohio stayed over night with me. He is father’s close neighbor. Father requested him to see me. His name is Coonard. I did not return from Keosauqua until quite late in the evening. All well. E.H. Brown. Finished
Allender, 16 Arrowsmith, 18 Balinger, 52 Banks, 18 Barker, 63 Benington, 48, 61 Benton, 6, 64 Bink, 71, 75 Boardman, 17, 25 Bonner, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 42, 44, 45, 47, 49, 52, 53, 69, 73 Brake, 50 Briggs, 80 Brions, 25 Brooks, 11, 25, 37, 45, 82, 83, 84 Browne, 43 Cantril, 3, 12, 15, 16, 21, 24, 29, 33, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, 48, 51, 52, 55, 65, 86 Chafee, 38 Chaffee, 34, 45, 51, 54, 57, 58, 61, 62, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 76, 78, 81, 83, 85, 87 Claffin, 3, 79 Clark, 2, 3, 9, 27 Clarke, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 30, 37, 41, 42, 48, 60, 61, 64, 68, 72, 81, 86, 87 Clay, 77 Cobb, 86 Cockran, 5 Coleman, 4, 22, 37, 49, 65 Collins, 3 Cooly, 7 Coonard, 89 Cooper, 20, 22, 26, 27, 35, 50, 51, 52, 60, 83 Crosby, 6, 7, 8 Davidson, 49, 51, 53, 55, 56, 71 Dean, 26, 34, 39, 40, 87 Downey, 18, 19 Elbert, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76,77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 Ellis, 63 English, 67 Everitt, 60 Evert, 19, 20, 22, 26 Fiffe, 5 Ford, 78 Galbreth, 89 Godard, 4, 19 Gray, 27 Groom, 3, 12, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 43, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 Harrison, 1, 2, 37 Hayden, 48, 54, 85 Hilleses, 52 Hiskey, 43 Hitt, 3, 13, 16, 22, 64 Hocomb, 9 Hogue, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 35, 48, 52, 57, 68, 86 Hoskin, 32, 43 Hoskins, 51, 55, 77 Howe, 38 Howell, 40, 83 Hull, 27, 40, 43 Humphrey, 81 Humphry, 31 Inskip, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 33, 39, 61, 76, 83 Jay, 46 Keith, 80 Kysesinger, 4 Lewis, 27 Marlow, 19 Mc Kenney, 44, 46, 50 Mc Kinny, 57 McComick, 32 McDonald, 8, 11, 19, 60, 63 McKenney, 46, 50, 77 McKinney, 48, 49, 50, 52 McKinny, 57, 72, 83, 84, 85, 88 McKinry, 69 Melley, 41 Miller, 14 Mortt, 60 Mowen, 3, 6, 25, 31, 32, 33, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 67, 69, 71, 72, 73, 76, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 87 Mowne, 10, 32, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 63, 67, 69, 71, 72, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 87 Mull, 25, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 42, 47, 48, 50, 52, 56, 57, 59, 68, 74, 81, 84, 85, 86 Neer, 3 Olson, 46 Osborn, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 23, 30, 39, 43, 47, 49, 50, 51, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 71, 75, 78 Powell, 1, 4, 16, 29, 40, 63, 68, 77, 78 Power, 76, 80, 85, 87 Powers, 6, 51 Rankin, 4, 12, 15, 22, 25, 27, 40, 49, 57, 60 Raymond, 17, 21, 32, 54, 68, 87 Reynold, 8, 24, 43 Reynolds, 6, 10, 11, 12, 48, 50 Richardson, 4, 7, 8, 13, 24, 82, 83 Richison, 13, 54, 55, 58, 62, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79 Scot, 2, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 27, 78 Scott, 10, 27, 28, 55, 65, 79, 80, 81 Shelby, 4 Shelly, 27 Sheppard, 66 Sholts, 51 Shults, 51 Smart, 6, 15, 38, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 71, 83, 84, 86 Smith, 14, 25, 28, 40, 46, 54, 60, 73, 86, 87 Spain, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 66, 71, 72, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 Speese, 40 Spencer, 25, 40, 59, 60, 78, 85, 86 Struble, 3, 6, 7, 11 Stubles, 23 Sunderlin, 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 20, 61 Taylor, 40, 59, 61, 66, 67, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86 Thomas, 15, 23, 25, 27, 38, 63, 66 Truit, 14 Turil, 14 Tutewiller, 78 Vinson, 41 Walker, 14, 25, 27, 28 Warner, 5, 9, 10, 16, 30, 31, 32, 35, 41, 43, 50, 59, 60, 61, 70, 71, 84, 88 Warnerson, 25 Warren, 1, 29, 88 Waske, 11 Wheelen, 19 Wheeler, 6, 33, 36 Willey, 6, 27, 42, 50, 51, 55, 59, 60 Willy, 78 Wilson, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 37, 39, 44, 52, 58, 60, 62, 63, 72, 84, 85 Worel, 34 World, 22 Worle, 32 Wourld, 76, 78 Wright, 4, 5, 11, 19, 22, 25, 31, 32, 37, 40, 42, 67, 85, 87 Zook, 44 Zouck, 38 Zuck, 43, 44, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59, 65, 68, 69, 71, 72, 81, 84, 85, 87 |
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